THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


\ 


^ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2010  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://www.archive.org/details/bulletshellwarasOOwill 


BULLET  AND  SHELL 


toar  as  t\)t  0olMcr  saw  it: 

CAMP,  MARCH,  AND  PICKET;    BATTLEFIELD  AND  BIVOUAC; 
PRISON  AND   HOSPITAL. 


BY 

GEO.    F.   WILLIAMS, 

OF  THE  5TH  AND  I46TH  REGIMENTS  NEW-YORK  VOLUNTEERS,  AND  WAR  CORRESPONDENT 

WITH  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  SHENANDOAH, 

AND   THE    ARMY    OF    THE   CUMBERLAND. 


Illustratcti, 

F/iOM  SKETCHES  AMONG    THE  ACTUAL   SCENES, 
BY 

EDWIN    FORBES, 

PICTORIAL  WAR  correspondent;     AUTHOR  OF  "lIFE-STUDIES   FROM 

THE  GREAT  ARMY;"    MEMBER   OF  THE   FRENCH 

ETCHING  CLUB. 


NEW  YORK: 

FORDS,     HOWARD,    &     HULBERT. 

1883. 


Copyright,  1882, 
By  GEORGE  F.  WILLIAMS. 

All  rit/hts  rcsei'ved. 


JTinnklin  \3rc3s: 

RAND,    AVERV,    AND   COMPANY, 
BOSTON. 


TO 

MY     OLD     COMRADES 

WHO    CAERTED    THE    SWORD    AND     MUSKET 

IN   THE   FEDERAL    ARISHES 

DURING    THE   AMERICAN   CIVIL    WAR 

EfjiS  Boofe 

IS   FRATERNALLY   DEDICATED. 


603317 


PREFACE. 


T 


HE  time  has  come  when  a  story  of  the  American  Civil 
War  may  be  written  without  prejudice  or  passion.  The 
memories  of  that  gigantic  struggle  have  mellowed,  the  bitter- 
ness of  sectional  feeling  has  died  away ;  and  men  now  view 
with  clearer  and  calmer  minds  the  issues  which  led  to  the 
conflict,  and  the  motives  governing  its  prosecution.  The 
author  of  the  following  pages  aims  to  present  a  faithful  pic- 
ture of  scenes  in  camp  and  field,  which,  under  the  guise  of 
fiction,  will  afford  the  new  generation  some  idea  of  the  tre- 
mendous contest  waged  on  this  continent  during  the  memor- 
able years  of  1861-65.  To  the  veteran  my  book  may  be  the 
means  of  recalling  many  pleasant  reminiscences  of  the  days 
when  he  carried  the  sword  or  the  musket.  In  order  to  pre- 
serve the  unity  of  the  narrative,  I  have  taken  an  author's 
license  in  carrying  the  same  regiment  through  the  several 
campaigns  from  Big  Bethel  to  Appomattox  Hollow.  My  old 
comrades  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  will  find,  however, 
that  in  this  only  have  I  departed  from  the  actual  course  of 
events.  G.  F.  W. 

New  York,  Sept.  1,  1882. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  PAGB 

I.  Beginning  of  the  Quaerel '11 

II.  Taking  Sides 22 

III.  Defining  Positions 32 

IV.  A  Tkuce 38 

V.  The  Hand  on  the  Hilt 44 

VI.  Drawing  the  Blade 52 

VII.  Throwing  away  the  Scabbard 64 

VIII.  Bandage  and  Lint 77 

IX.  A  Savage  Bout 90 

X.  Again  in  Harness 106 

XI.  A  Feint 123 

XII.  Forest  Strategy 137 

XIII.  A  Night  of  Terror 147 

XIV.  Beaten  Down 157 

XV.  A  Pause 175 

XVI.  Moving  towards  Battle 1S7 

XVII.  A  Night  March 196 

XVIII.  Charge  and  Counter-charge 203 

XIX.  A  Midnight  Adventure 218 

XX.  A  Wonderful  Charge 225 

XXI.  Face  to  Face 243 

XXII.  Lost  among  the  Dead 254 

XXIII.  Moving  in  Pursuit 263 

XXIV.  An  Adventure  on  the  Road 272 

XXV.  Fencing  for  an  Opening 286 

XXVI.  The  Scout's  Story 298 

XXVII.  A  Change  in  Fortune 323 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  PAGE 

XXVIII.  CnossiNO  THE  Line 338 

XXIX.  The  Accounts  balanced 351 

XXX.  Running  the  Gauntlet 360 

XXXI.  To  THE  Rescue 366 

XXXII.  In  Fkesh  Toils 373 

XXXIII.  By  Mine  and  Sap 383 

XXXIV.  In  Fort  and  Field 391 

XXXV.  The  Correspondent's  Story 400 

XXXVI.  Death  of  a  Spy 411 

XXXVII.  A  Last  Effort 418 

XXXVIII.  Beginning  of  the  End 426 

XXXIX.  Smashing  the  Trap 4:35 

XL.  Laying  down  the  Sword 444 

The  End 453 


ILLUSTBATIOlSrS. 


PAGE 

Bringing  up  a  Battery    .        .        .  , Frontispiece 

Fkiendly  Fishermen 12 

The  End  of  Argument 20 

The  Marshall  Homestead 23 

Fort  Sumter  bombarded    ....               46 

"Stop  firing,  you  Fools,  till  you  get  the  Word!"  ...  58 

The  Retreat  from  the  Field 61 

In  the  Trenches 67 

Besieging  Yorktown 71 

The  Dead  Sergeant's  Yell 74 

Reporting  to  the  Surgeon 78 

"  "We  can't  sell  to  Soldiers  " 81 

A  Surgical  Operation  frustrated 85 

Capturing  A  Gun, —  Gaines's  Mill 93 

The  Irish  Brigade  to  the  Rescue 95 

The  Gunboats  in  the  .James  River 101 

General  View  of  Camps,  Warrenton  Junction        .        .        .        .112 

Pontoon-Laying  —  Fredericksburg 117 

Review  by  President  Lincoln  —  Falmouth,  opposite  Fredericks- 
burg           125 

The  March  to  Chancellorsville 131 

Crossing  Ely's  Ford,  Rapidan  River 135 

Passing  the  Sleeping  Corps 145 

The  Rout  of  the  Eleventh  Corps,  Chancellorsville          .        .  151 

Artillery  going  into  Action 159 

Bringing  off  the  Wounded 166 

Retreat  across  the  Rappahannock, —United-States  Ford      .  169 

Retui;n  to  the  Abandoned  Camps  at  Falmouth       ....  174 


10  ILL  US  TEA  TIONS. 

PA  OB 

The  Confederate  Spy ISl 

The  Confederate  Grave  under  the  Roses 193 

General  Sickles  wounded •.        .209 

The  Dting  Adjutant 213 

Bucktails  going  into  the  Devil's  Glen 216 

A  Council  of  War  on  Little  Round  Top 233 

The  Final  Charge  at  Gettysburg 239 

Relieving  the  Wounded 242 

"Going  for"  the  Rebel  Sharpshooters 246 

"Good-by,  Tom" 252 

Lost  on  the  Battle-field 258 

"  A  Drink  of  Water,  for  God's  Sake  ! " 259 

"  Dey's  all  done  gone,  Sah  ! " 270 

The  Winter  Camp 287 

Arrest  of  the  Spy'     .        .    ' 293 

The  Chase 305 

Before  the  Confederate  General 308 

March  of  the  Confederate  Army  into  Pennsylvania      .        .  312 

Crossing  the  Rapidan 325 

Passing  Grant  and  Meade 329 

In  the  Wilderness 336 

General  Lee  and  the  Prisoner 340 

Among  the  Wounded,  —  Confederate  Hospital       .        .        .        .346 

Re\isitino  the  Wilderness  Battle-field 357 

At  the  Warrenton  Hotel 362 

Under  Guard 377 

Going  to  Camp  under  Fire 389 

Foraging  on  the  Enemy 396 

Going  to  the  Rear  with  Dispatches 406 

General  Custer  and  the  Spy 415 

The  Confederates  capture  Fort  Steadman 421 

Taken  Prisoner  again 433 

Cavalry  in  Pursuit 445 

The  Flag  of  Truce 448 

Lee's  Shattered  Army 452 


Bullet  and  Shell. 


CHAPTER  I. 


BEGINNIKG   OF   THE   QUARREL. 


Between  green  fields  and  wooded  heights, 
The  river  stretched  at  ease." 


IME,   Summer.     The   year,   1860.     Scene,  the 
Valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  West  Virginia. 

On  a  sudden  bend  of  the  river  -which  lends 
its  musical  name  to  the  beautiful  valley,  two 
j^oung  men  are  sitting  in  an  old,  weather- 
beaten,  rudely  fashioned  punt,  idly  fishing. 
Though  it  is  now  long  past  the  hour  of 
noon,  and  the  sun  has  already  begun  its 
; >^  downward  course,  the  air  is  still  warm  and 
y  oppressive,  even  in  the  shadows  thrown 
'  '  upon  the  rippling  stream  by  the  huge  trees 
overhanging  its  banks.  The  curve  of  the 
river,  where  our  fishermen  have  anchored  their  clumsy  boat, 
is  caused  by  the  intrusive  presence  of  a  spur  from  the  mas- 
sive range  of  the  Blue-Ridge  Mountains,  which  form  the 
eastern  boundary  of  the  valley.  Indeed,  so  abrupt  and  sharp 
is  the  turn  of  the  current  just  there,  that  the  river  seems  to 
be  completely  hemmed  in  by  the  dense  foliage  creeping  down 


12 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


to  the  water's  edge  on  every  side.  Behind  the  occupants  of  the 
boat  the  mountain  spur  towers  in  lofty  grandeur,  its  rugged 
sides  clothed  to  the  very  summit  with  dark  masses  of  oak  and 
pine,  while  half  way  up  its  jutting  face  a  broad  seam  of  almost 
naked  rock  stands  out  in  most  threatening  fashion,  as  though 
about  to  fall  that  instant  into  the  shallow  water  below. 

Beyond  the  fringe  of  trees  on  the  opposite  bank,  in  the  shade 
of  which  the  Ijoat  smngs  to  its  iirimitive  anchor,  wide  fields  of 
golden  wheat  can  be  discerned ;  and  as  the  breeze  sets  the  grain 

in  waving 
motion  it  also 
brings  to  the 
ears  of  these 
young  men 
the  loud  and 
careless 
laughter  o  f 
the  gangs  of 
-  negro  field- 
hands,  busily 
engaged  in 
harvesting. 
An  air  of  per- 
fect  peace 
and  plent}^  reigns  over  the  romantic  valley ;  and  the  entire 
scene  is  one  of  rare  loveliness,  combining  as  it  does  the  bold 
mountain  outline,  the  picturesque  and  winding  river,  the  fertile 
fields,  and  the  signs  and  tokens  of  successful  husbandry. 

"  Well,  Frank,"  exclaimed  one  of  the  young  fishermen,  as  he 
impatiently  jerked  his  line  out  of  the  water  to  rebait  the  hook, 
"  I  still  contend  the  South  is  right." 

"  And  I  insist  that  she  is  entirely  in  the  wrong." 
"How  can  you  do  that  consistently?     We  have  a  perfect 
right  to  claim  that  slavery  must  not  be  molested." 
"  Wlio  wants  to  molest  it  ?  " 


nUENDLY   FISHERMEN. 


BEGINNING    OF  THE  QUARREL.  13 

"  The  abolitionists,  —  Garrison,  Pliillips,  and  the  rest  of  that 
crew." 

"Every  Nortliern  man  is  not  an  abolitionist.  Why  con- 
found a  few  enthusiasts,  who  are  more  or  less  fanatical  in  their 
ideas,  with  the  great  bulk  of  fair-minded  men  in  the  free 
States?" 

"  I  don't.  But  you  can  not  deny  that  the  sentiment  in  favor 
of  abolishing  slavery  is  gaining  ground  in  the  North.  Why, 
you  yourself  are  at  heart  almost  an  abolitionist;"  and  the 
speaker  laughed  disdainfully  as  he  spoke. 

"  Perhaps  so.     I  scarcely  know,  myself." 

"  To  take  away  our  slaves  would  be  an  act  of  tyranny.  The 
South  would  not  submit  to  such  oppression." 

"  Tyranny  and  oppression  ?     Those  are  hard  words,  Tom." 

"  They  are  the  only  ones  I  can  use." 

"  How  do  you  make  that  out?  " 

"  Why,  when  the  people  of  the  North  try  to  force  us  to  give 
i;p  our  slaves,  they  act  tyrannically  and  oppressively." 

"  We  don't  ask  you  to  give  up  your  slaves.  We  only  say 
you  shall  not  take  them  into  the  Territories,  and  so  create  new 
slave  States.  You  seek  to  extend  slavery.  We  want  to  keep 
it  within  its  present  bounds.     There  is  no  tyranny  in  that." 

"  Isn't  there  ?  Why  shouldn't  we  take  our  slaves  into  the 
Territories  ?  " 

"  Because  slavery  is  really  a  curse  to  the  country,  Tom." 

"  That  is  a  bitter  phrase,  Frank." 

"  Not  more  so  than  your  talk  of  oppression  and  tyranny." 

"But  the  new  Territories  belong  as  much  to  the  South  as  to 
the  North." 

"  Granted !  yet  why  should  3'ou  seek  to  import  slaves  into 
them  ?  " 

"  To  till  the  soil,  of  course,  and  so  enrich  the  nation." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me,  Tom,  that  you  consider  the  South- 
ern slaves  a  source  of  national  wealth?" 

"  Certainly  I  do.     What  else  are  they  ?     The  millions  upon 


14  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

millions  of  dollars  invested  in  our  slaves  represent  so  much 
property,  just  as  your  farmers'  horses  and  cattle  do." 

"  Good  Lord,  Tom !  you  don't  compare  the  slaves  to  horses 
or  cattle  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  do." 

"  Yet  you  would  go  to  war  to  retain  them  ?  " 

"Why  not?  Wouldn't  the  farmers  in  the  free  States  think 
twice  before  giving  up  their  live  stock  ?  " 

"  The  cases  are  not  parallel  at  all." 

"  Oh,  of  course  not !  You  Northerners  will  never  admit 
any  thing." 

"  I  can  not  admit  that,  because  slave  labor  is  really  expensive 
to  the  South." 

"  How  so  ?  " 

"  It's  very  simple.  Your  slaves  are  naturally  indolent.  They 
need  constant  supervision  to  keep  them  at  their  tasks,  and  even 
then  don't  half  work.  Then,  again,  you  can  not  discharge  a 
slave  as  you  would  an  incompetent  or  worthless  workman." 

"  We  can  sell  him." 

"  Yes ;  and  that  is  what  makes  slavery  a  curse.  This  con- 
stant barter  in  human  flesh  is  horrible." 

"Slavery  has  flourished  since  the  beginning  of  the  world." 

"So  has  heathenism.  Is  that  any  reason  why  we  should  go 
back  to  worshiping  idols  ?  " 

"  Oh !  if  you  are  going  to  drag  religion  into  the  discussion,  I 
am  done." 

"  I  don't  want  to  drag  it  in.  Look  at  the  Roman  empire : 
slavery  was  one  of  the  elements  of  its  ruin." 

"  That  was  partly  because  the  slaves  were  pampered,  and 
rose  against  their  masters." 

"  And  you  expect  that  your  slaves  will  never  rise  against 
you  ?  " 

"Now,  see  here,  Frank:  I've  heard  enough  of  that  sort  of 
thing.  No  doubt  the  North  would  rejoice  to  see  the  blacks 
revolt." 


BEGINNING   OF  THE   QUARBEL.  15 

"  There  you  are  wrong  again.  But  the  time  must  come 
when  the  negroes  will  strike  for  their  freedom." 

"You  talk  like  a  regular  borcler-ruffian,  Frank.  Why  don't 
you  go  out  there,  and  wear  big  boots,  a  red  shirt,  and  a  brace 
of  revolvers? 

"  Well,  I  do  sympathize  with  those  border  men  in  their 
efforts  to  keep  the  soil  of  Kansas  free  from  the  taint  of  slavery." 

"  Oh,  confound  you  and  your  taint !  "  exclaimed  Tom  angrily. 
"  But  there's  no  use  arguing  any  more  about  it.  When  we 
men  of  the  South  and  the  North  once  get  to  talking  politics, 
we  invariably  lose  our  tempers." 

"  Speak  for  yourself,  Tom,  please,"  replied  his  companion  in 
a  quieter  tone.  "I  am  sure  I  have  not  lost  my  temper,  even 
though  I  do  not  agree  with  you." 

"  But  you  Yankees  never  will  give  in,  no  matter  how  con- 
vincing the  argument  may  be." 

"  Why  do  you  call  me  a  Yankee,  as  though  it  were  a 
reproach?  If  it  comes  to  that,  Tom,  you're  as  much  a  Yankee 
as  I  am." 

"  Ha,  ha !  No,  you  don't,  master  Frank,"  retorted  the  first 
speaker  in  a  merrier  tone  :  "  you  can't  call  me  a  Yankee,  even 
though  I  did  matriculate  under  the  elms  of  dear  old  Yale. 
No,  sir :  I'm  a  true  Southerner,  born  and  bred,  and,  I'll  admit, 
at  times  a  hot-tempered  one  too  ,  while  j'ou  are  as  cold  as  the 
granite  hills  of  your  native  State." 

"  Oh !  I  can  be  hot-tempered  enough  on  occasion,"  replied 
the  other.  "  I  simply  object  to  being  called  a  Yankee  in  a 
reproachful  sense,  that  is  all." 

'•  All  right,  Frank :  I  won't  do  it  again.  Hullo !  by  Jove  ! 
that  was  a  bite  in  earnest,"  ejaculated  Tom,  pulling  up  his  line 
again,  and  looking  ruefully  at  his  despoiled  hook. 

While  these  young  men  continue  their  pleasant  pastime,  and 
patch  up  their  brief  political  quarrel  as  best  they  may,  let  us 
learn  more  about  them. 

Tom  Marshall  prides  himself  on  being  the  descendant  of  an 


16  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

old  Virginia  family,  and  as  such  a  true  son  of  the  sunny  South. 
Though  still  on  the  threshold  of  manhood,  he  is  full  of  that 
passionate  love  for  his  section  so  noticeable  among  men  of  his 
age  and  class.  Like  all  young  Southerners  at  the  time,  Tom 
had  already  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  political  issues  of  the 
day ;  and,  though  he  failed  to  understand  their  entire  scope  and 
import,  he  at  all  times  expressed  the  wildest  devotion  to  the 
South  in  general  and  his  native  State  in  particular.  It  is  not 
my  purpose  here  to  discuss  the  question  whether  Tom  was 
right  or  wrong ;  for  that  matter  seems  to  have  been  settled  long, 
long  ago,  and  in  a  way  that  we  all  now  deplore  and  strive  to 
forget.  I  merely  mention  the  fact  to  explain  much  that  is  to 
come,  and  as  an  indication  of  the  young  man's  character.  Tall 
and  sinewy,  Tom  Marshall  is  handsome  in  feature,  and  a  gen- 
tleman by  instinct  as  well  as  by  breeding.  Unlike  most  men 
of  Southern  birth,  Tom  had  finished  his  education  within 
the  walls  of  a  Northern  college,  —  Yale,  —  as  the  reader  has 
already  learned  from  his  own  lips.  But,  despite  his  contact 
and  association  with  young  men  of  the  North,  he  had  left 
college  as  intensely  sectional  in  political  sentiment  as  when 
he  first  entered.  Indeed,  he  expressed  himself  as  more  eager 
than  before  to  devote  his  energies  to  the  interests  of  his  beloved 
South,  showing  how  strong  and  abiding  are  the  lessons  learned 
in  boyhood. 

Tom's  companion  need  now  only  be  described  as  a  stripling 
of  twenty,  fair  complexioned,  quite  tall  for  his  years,  and  pos- 
sessing a  tolerable  share  of  good-humor.  He,  too,  is  a  Yale 
man,  though  not  yet  entirely  released  from  study  ;  and  he  was 
born  in  a  pretty  little  village  in  New  Hampshire.  Tom  and 
Frank  had  become  warm  friends  in  college ;  and  the  latter  is 
now  spending  a  part  of  his  vacation  with  the  INIarshalls,  whose 
plantation  forms  a  prominent  landmark  in  the  valley.  In  fact, 
Frank  Wilmot  is  your  humble  servant;  and,  as  I  shall  have 
frequent  occasion  hereafter  to  speak  of  myself,  the  less  said 
now  about  me  the  better. 


BEGINNING    OF  THE  QUARREL.  17 

A  native  of  the  North,  and  taught  to  view  the  course  of 
public  events  from  a  widely  different  standpoint  from  that  occu- 
pied by  Tom  Marshall,  it  was  not  surprising  that  I  differed 
with  him.  True,  neither  of  us  knew  mucli  about  the  real 
merits  of  the  grave  questions  we  were  discussing;  but  we 
thought  we  did,  being  therefore  honest  in  our  dispute,  unwise 
and  useless  as  it  was. 

Already  had  the  two  great  sections  of  the  country  become 
arrayed  against  each  other  in  thought  and  word ;  and  men  on 
both  sides  of  the  geographical  line  were  anxiously  looking  for- 
ward to  the  approaching  presidential  election,  for  all  felt  that 
with  it  would  come  a  momentous  crisis  in  the  nation's  history. 
For  years  had  the  struggle  been  going  on,  luitil  it  had  now 
reached  a  stage  when  some  decisive  action  might  be  looked  for. 
The  result  none  could  forecast,  so  cloudy  and  uncertain  had 
the  political  horizon  become.  It  was  quite  natural,  therefore, 
that  Tom  and  I  should  thus  drift  into  a  discussion ;  for,  boys 
though  we  were,  we  considered  ourselves  men,  like  many  a 
young  fool  before  us. 

Tom  had  proved  himself  a  stanch  friend  in  more  ways  than 
one.  Indeed,  much  of  the  success  I  had  achieved  at  Yale  was 
due  to  his  aid  and  counsel.  Our  friendship  had  been  begun  by 
his  espousal  of  my  side  of  a  petty  quarrel,  simply  because  he 
deemed  the  odds  against  me.  From  that  hour  we  had  been 
like  brothers ;  and  I  had  now  spent  several  happy  weeks  with 
him,  enjoying  the  picturesque  scenery  for  which  his  native 
valley  is  deservedly  famous. 

Tom  quietly  re-baited  his  hook,  and  we  continued  to  fish  in 
silence.  The  sunshine  left  us,  the  shadows  of  the  trees  grew 
longer,  the  air  became  cooler,  and  a  deep  silence  fell  upon  the 
scene.  Even  the  mountain  above  our  heads  seemed  softer  and 
less  rugged  in  its  massive  outlines,  now  that  it  no  longer  stood 
in  the  fierce  glare  of  the  noonday  sun.  But  despite  the  deli- 
cious beauty  of  the  landscape,  and  the  rapidity  with  which  we  were 
now  pulling  up  the  unwary  fish,  both  Tom  and  I  felt  ill  at  ease. 


18  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

Having  fidgeted  on  liis  seat  for  several  minutes,  Tom  at 
length  broke  the  silence,  exclaiming,  — 

"  Oh,  hang  it,  Frank !  I  can't  stand  this  sort  of  tiling  any 
longer.  "Why  should  we  quarrel?  I'm  sorry  we  have  such 
conflicting  ideas  about  these  matters." 

"I'm  as  sorry  as  yourself,  Tom.  We  have  been  so  like 
brothers  ever  since  we  first  met,  it  seems  hard  to  have  a  differ- 
ence at  this  late  day." 

"  Well,  it  can't  be  helped  now,  I  suppose.  But,  Frank,  you 
may  depend  on  one  thing :  if  the  South  does  strike  for  liberty, 
I  am  with  and  for  her,  to  the  death  if  necessary." 

"  Liberty  !     You  seem  to  think  the  South  has  none." 

"Think!   I  know  it!    Don't  you  want  to  rob  us  of  our  slaves?" 

"  Gradual  emancipation  would  not  be  robbery." 

"  And  when  the  slaves  were  free  you  would  give  them  the 
right  to  vote,  I  suppose." 

"In  time  possibly." 

"  By  Heaven,  Frank  !  you  go  too  far.  As  if  we  Southerners 
would  permit  a  nigger  to  vote !     Better  to  secede  at  once." 

"Secede!     What!     Leave  the  Union ? " 

"  Yes,  break  away  for  ever." 

"  But  you  have  no  right  to  secede." 

"Haven't  we?  Every  State  is  a  sovereign  to  herself.  If 
she  is  dissatisfied  she  can  withdraw  from  the  confederation,  and 
govern  her  own  affairs." 

"I  deny  it.  States  are  sovereigns  on  local  questions  only. 
They  can  not  sever  the  tie  which  binds  them  together." 

"  You  forget  we  are  talking  of  the  Avhole  South,  not  one  soli- 
tary State.     If  we  secede  we  shall  go  out  in  a  body." 

"And  you  really  believe  that?" 

"  Believe  it !     I  know  it.     It's  our  only  policy." 

"  But  the  free  States  will  not  allow  you  to  secede." 

"  How  are  you  going  to  stop  us  ?  The  Southern  people  have 
plenty  of  sympathizers  in  the  North.  Your  politicians  are 
divided." 


BEGINNING   OF  THE  QUARREL.  19 

"  Politicians  do  not  rule  this  country." 

"They  have  a  good  deal  to  say,  at  all  events;"  and  Tom 
laughed  sarcastically. 

"  Mere  talk  does  not  affect  the  destinies  of  a  nation.  Once 
let  the  people  understand  that  the  supremacy  of  the  general 
government  is  in  peril,  and  the  political  wire-pullers  will  be 
swept  away  like  chaff  before  the  wind." 

"  You  are  growing  eloquent,  Frank." 

"  Perhaps  I  am.  But  suppose  we  let  you  go  peaceably.  The 
South  couldn't  take  any  of  the  disputed  territory  with  her." 

"  We  could  at  least  fight  for  it." 

"■  That  is  just  what  might  be  expected :  first  secede,  and 
then  go  to  war  for  more  territory.  It  would  be  far  better  for 
the  North  to  fight  first,  and  so  keep  you  in  the  Union." 

"  Yes,  and  give  us  an  abolitionist  for  President.  We  want 
no  Fr^monts  or  Lincolns  to  rule  us." 

"  The  President  is  not  a  ruler." 

"  Well,  Frank,  all  I  can  say  is,  that  the  South  will  never 
tolerate  a  President  who  is  opposed  to  her  interests." 

"  I  guess  the  South  will  have  to  take  tlie  President  selected 
by  the  people." 

"Will  she?  You  wait  and  see.  If  that  Hoosier  rail-splitter 
is  elected,  there  will  be  war,  sure :  that  is,  if  the  North  really 
will  fight."  Here  Tom  again  laughed  in  a  sneering  way  that 
made  me  angry. 

"  Do  you  think  us  all  cowards,  then  ?  "     I  asked  hotly. 

"  Oh !  I  won't  say  that,"  replied  Tom  indolently.  "  But  I 
don't  suppose  the  'horny-handed  sons  of  toil,'  as  they  call 
themselves,  will  be  very  ready." 

"And  why  not?  Look  at  Mexico.  Didn't  our  regiments 
fight  gallantly  at  Cerro  Gordo,  and  Chapultepec,  and  Buena 
Vista  ?  During  the  Revolution,  were  the  men  of  New  England 
inferior  to  those  of  Virginia  or  South  Carolina  ?  " 

"But  in  the  Revolution  they  fought  against  tyranny,  just 
as  we  will  if  the  North  persists  in  its  present  course." 


20 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


"  Armed  secession  will  be  rebellion." 

"You  are  very  amusing,  Frank.  That  was  what  King 
George  and  his  Parliament  called  it  when  the  colonies  drew 
the  sword.  But  when  the  colonies  were  victorious,  our  rebel 
forefathers  became  patriots." 

"And  you  would  give  up  your  heritage  to  the  blessings  won 
by  the  Revolution  ?  " 

"  Yes.  If  we  are  to  lose  our  rights  as  sovereign  States,  there 
is  no  other  course  open  to  us." 

"Say  no  more,"  I  replied.  "It  is  quite  certain  we  can 
never  agree  upon  any  of  these  political  questions." 

"So  it 
seems,  more's 
the  pity," 
said  Tom 
gloomily. 

"  It's  a  pity 
indeed ;  but 
r>^?"  you  see,  old 
fellow,  we 
have  been 
taught  to 
view  these 
things  so  dif- 
ferently, we  can  not  help  being  in  antagonism,  however  un- 
willingly. Still  I  feel,  Tom,  that,  though  we  may  hereafter 
be  separated  by  political  sentiment,  we  shall  never  be  real 
enemies." 

"Of  course  not.  If  war  does  come,  there  will  be  but  few 
personal  hatreds  involved.  It  will  be  purely  a  struggle  for 
principle." 

"  Well,  well,  let  us  drop  it  now,"  said  I.  "  My  heart  revolts 
at  the  thought  of  war.  They  say  it  will  be  a  civil  one,  but  I 
suspect  there  will  be  precious  little  civility  about  it." 

"  You    don't    suppose   we   Southerners   fancy   war   to   be  a 


TUE  KNU   OF   ARGUMENT. 


BEGINNING   OF  THE   QUARREL.  21 

pleasant  pastime,  do  you  ?  "  exclaimed  Tom  contemptuously. 
"  There  will  not  be  much  fun  about  it,  I  imagine,  for  either 
side,  but  plenty  of  hard  knocks." 

"  There,  there  !  Let's  put  an  end  to  this  useless  argument.  I 
am  sick  of  it."  As  I  spoke  I  jumped  to  my  feet,  and  began  pull- 
ing up  the  stone  which  had  anchored  our  boat  in  the  stream. 

"  You're  right,"  replied  Tom  as  he  took  the  oars,  and  rowed 
in  toward  the  river-bank.  "  It's  useless  talking  now.  Let  us 
hope,  that,  after  all,  there  will  be  no  need  of  any  fighting." 

"  Amen  to  that,  with  all  my  heart ! "  I  exclaimed,  leaping 
ashore. 


BULLET  AND  SHELL. 


CHAPTER  11. 

TAKING   SIDES. 


Of  entrance  to  a  quarrel;  but  being  in, 

Bear  it  that  the  opposer  may  beware  of  thee." 

TANDING  on  a  high  expansive  knoll,  in  the 
center  of  the  plantation,  the  Marshall  home- 
stead formed  a  prominent  feature  in  the  land- 
scape ;  the  estate  extending  from  the  river  to 
the  main  road  leading  to  Winchester.  The 
house  itself,  like  most  old  Virginia  mansions, 
was  irregular  in  plan  and  outline.  A  wide 
piazza  ran  along  the  entire  front  of  the  quaint 
old  building,  which,  being  of  unpainted  wood, 
had  acquired  a  pure  gray  tinge  that  softened 
the  otherwise  rude  aspect  of  the  rambling 
structure,  and  made  it  harmonize  delightfully 
with  the  foliage  of  the  giant  walnut-trees  which  dotted  the 
lawn  and  shaded  the  road. 

The  doors  and  windows  in  the  old  house  appeared  to  have 
been  pierced  at  random,  as  though  each  successive  generation 
had  striven  to  increase  their  number,  regardless  of  the  lack  of 
symmetry  which  was  the  result.  This  impression  was,  however, 
dispelled  on  gaining  the  interior,  for  then  it  was  seen  that  each 
had  its  proper  use ;  though  tlie  new-comer  found  himself  non- 
plused by  the  confused  arrangement  of  the  various  rooms  and 
I)assages,  for  they  were  a  perfect  labyrinth. 

That  the  house  was  of  great  age,  was  shown  by  a  bit  of  bare 


TAKING   SIDES.  25 

log  wall  visible  through  the  broken  plaster  at  the  back  of  the 
wide  hall.  In  fact,  the  mansion  had  gradually  grown  from 
rude  beginnings  to  its  present  dimensions,  as  the  ancestors  of 
the  Marshalls  increased  in  wealth  and  importance.  It  had 
always  been  a  house  famous  for  generous  hospitality  in  the 
olden  days,  when  the  Marshalls  had  served  their  king  in 
colonial  times,  or  taken  an  active  part  in  the  subsequent  revolt 
against  him.  Indeed,  Tom  usually  grew  eloquent  whenever  he 
related  any  of  the  romantic  traditions  clinging  to  the  history 
of  the  family.  The  old  spirit  of  hospitality  still  reigned  in  the 
mansion,  and  guests  were  entertained  with  a  heartiness  that 
was  delightful  for  its  simplicity. 

Down  in  a  hollow  behind  the  house  stood  the  immense  barns  ; 
while  beyond  these  were  the  negro-quarters,  now  vocal  with  the 
sound  of  many  voices,  as  the  field-laborers  came  trooping  home- 
ward. Round  the  homestead  itself  numerous  house-servants 
flitted  to  and  fro,  getting  into  each  other's  way  with  that  facility 
so  peculiar  to  the  negro  race. 

I  had  often  experienced  a  warm  sense  of  delight  in  these 
picturesque  details  of  a  happy  and  peaceful  home ;  but  in  my 
present  mood  I  found  no  pleasure  in  the  familiar  picture,  as 
Tom  and  I  walked  silently  up  the  road,  after  leaving  the  narrow 
path  that  led  from  the  river  through  the  standing  wheat  in  the 
fields. 

"  There's  that  fellow  Ned  Charlton  !  "  exclaimed  Tom,  looking 
back,  and  listening  to  the  sharp  clatter  of  a  horse's  hoofs  on 
the  macadamized  highway.  "  I  wish  he  would  not  come  here 
so  often." 

"  Don't  you  like  him  ?  " 

"  Like  him !  What !  a  braggart  like  him  ?  You  should  know 
me  better,  Frank,  than  to  ask  such  a  question,"  replied  Tom  in 
a  surprised  tone  of  voice. 

"  He  claims  to  be  a  gentleman,  I  believe." 

"  Claims !  yes ;  and  that's  as  near  as  he  will  ever  get," 
retorted  Tom  with  a  sneer  on  his  lips. 


26  BULLET  AND   SUELL. 

"  Bin  fishing,  gentlemen  ?  "  exclaimed  the  new-comer,  as  he 
suddenly  reined  up  beside  us.     "  Had  a  good  time  ?  " 

"  Yes":  we've  been  on  the  river,"  replied  Tom  indifferently ; 
"  but  it  was  too  hot  for  comfortable  fishing." 

"  So  I  should  jedge  ;  but  I  dunno  much  'bout  fishing,  myself. 
I'm  fonder  of  a  good  horse  than  lines  and  fish-hooks ; "  and 
the  speaker  laughed  in  a  disdainful  way,  as  he  glanced  at  our 
angling-tackle. 

"If  you  call  riding  a  horse  to  death  on  a  broiling  sum- 
mer's day  being  fond  of  him,"  I  remarked,  "you  show  it 
pretty  thoroughly.  Why,  the  poor  brute  is  in  a  perfect 
foam." 

"  He's  got  good  blood  in  him,  sir,  and  as  such  is  fit  to  be  a 
gentleman's  horse,"  replied  Charlton  angrily. 

"  Oh !  you  need  not  show  your  own  temper,  sir,  to  prove  your 
horse's  pedigree.  The  animal  is  a  good  one,  I  admit :  so  much 
the  more  reason  why  he  should  be  well  treated." 

"Mr.  Wilmot  is  quite  right  about  the  beast,"  said  Tom. 
."And  you're  over-fond  of  picking  a  quarrel,  Charlton.  It 
don't  speak  well  for  your  own  breeding.  But  get  off  your 
horse  :  I  see  my  sister  coming." 

Charlton  obeyed  the  hint,  but  as  he  leaped  from  his  saddle  he 
and  I  exchanged  menacing  glances.  Ever  since  we  first  met, 
an  involuntary  spirit  of  antagonism  had  sprung  between  us. 
Half-educated,  and  insolent  in  his  ignorance,  Charlton  had  inva- 
riably displayed  an  arrogance  towards  me  that  was  insuffer- 
able ;  and  this,  perhaps,  had  something  to  do  with  my  unasked 
criticism  on  his  riding.  Overbearing  in  his  manner,  and  an 
arrant  boaster,  he  presented  a  type  of  character  which  con- 
trasted strangely  with  the  innate  courtliness  and  modesty  of 
Tom  Marshall ;  yet  it  was  of  a  class  by  no  means  rare  in  the 
South  at  the  time.  Constantly  proclaiming  himself  to  be  a 
gentleman,  Charlton  betrayed  his  true  character  by  every  word 
and  act.  I  had,  therefore,  no  reason  to  admire  the  fellow. 
His  presence  just  now  was  distasteful  to  both  Tom  and  myself; 


TAKING   SIDES.  27 

for  we  had  been  strangely  moved  by  our  political  discussion, 
and  were  in  no  mood  to  tolerate  him. 

"What's  the  matter  here?"  demanded  a  musical  voice. 
"  You  look  as  if  you  had  all  been  quarreling." 

"  Oh !  it's  nothing,  Kate,"  replied  Tom  hurriedly.  "  Frank 
and  I  have  been  talking  politics :  that's  all." 

"  Politics !  so  you  have  caught  that  fever  too,  have  you  ?  It 
seems  to  be  a  perfect  epidemic  just  now ;  "  and  the  girl  laughed 
ironically  as  she  turned  to  accompany  us  homeward. 

"There  has  been  no  quarrel,  Miss  Marshall,"  said  T  some- 
what stiffly.  "  Tom  and  I  could  not  agree  just  now ;  because, 
you  know,  we  come  from  different  sections.  He  belongs  to  the 
South,  I  to  the  North.  It's  only  natural  for  us  to  hold  diverse 
opinions  on  the  issues  of  the  day." 

"  I  s'pose,  sir,  you  think  we  Southern  gentlemen  must  submit 
to  the  dictates  of  the  Northern  mudsills,"  exclaimed  Charlton 
scornfully. 

"  I've  no  desire  to  discuss  the  question  with  you,"  I  replied 
testily.  "And  I  object  to  your  sneers  at  the  people  of  the 
Northern  States.  There  are  as  many  gentlemen  there  as  here, 
a  fact  you  might  discover  if  you  were  a  judge  in  such  mat- 
ters." 

"  Jedge,  sir !     What  do  you  mean  ?     Do  you  dare  ?  " 

"  Dare  !     Dare  what  ?  " 

"You  don't  mean  to  say,  Mr.  Wilmot,"  interrupted  Tom's 
sister,  "that  you  think  the  South  is  wrong  in  asserting  her 
rights  of  sovereignty?  Do  you  really  mean  that?"  and  as  she 
spoke  the  girl  stood  still,  her  dark  eyes  wide  open  in  unaffected 
wonder. 

"  Ha,  ha !  "  laughed  Tom.  "  That's  right,  Kate  :  give  it  to 
him.  —  I  say,  Frank,  that  was  a  shot  you  didn't  expect." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon.  Miss  Marshall :  I  scarcely  know  what 
to  say." 

"  Give  me  a  plain  answer  to  my  question,  if  you  please.  Do 
you  think  us  Southern  people  wrong,  or  not?"  persisted  the 


28  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

wajTvard  beauty,  a  big  frown  passing  over  her  brow  like  a 
cloud. 

"  Well,  if  you  mean  an  assertion  of  riglits  on  certain  issues, 
and  an  appeal  to  arms  in  their  support,  such  as  Tom  talks 
about,  I  do  certainly  think  them  in  the  wrong.  But,  really, 
these  are  questions  I  do  not  care  to  discuss  with  a  lady." 

"Let  me  tell  you,  J\Ir.  Wilmot,"  retorted  the  defiant  girl, 
tossing  her  head  imi^eriously  as  she  sjDoke,  —  "  let  me  tell  you, 
sir,  that  we  women  of  the  South  are  heart  and  hand  with  our 
brothers  and  fathers  on  this  question,  as  you  men  of  the  North 
may  perhaps  find  out  to  your  cost  one  of  these  days." 

"  Oh  !  come  now,  Kate,"  said  her  brother  good-naturedly,  but 
at  the  same  time  giving  his  sister  an  admiring  look  for  her 
words,  "  you're  altogether  too  hard  on  poor  Wilmot.  You  must 
remember  that  he  has  a  right  to  his  own  opinions  :  besides,  he 
does  not  wish  any  further  discussion  ;  do  you,  Frank  ?  " 

"  The  whole  subject  is  distasteful  to  me.  First  I  am  involved 
in  a  wretched  dispute  with  my  dearest  friend,  and  now  I  find 
his  sister  apparently  my  bitterest  enemy.  Upon  my  word,  I 
now  begin  to  believe  there  will  be  a  war." 

And,  as  I  uttered  the  last  words,  I  bowed  ceremoniously  to 
the  haughty  girl  beside  me. 

"  There  seems  no  help  for  it,"  said  Tom  sadly.  "  The  sooner 
the  struggle  comes,  the  better  it  will  be  for  us  all.  This  sus- 
pense and  dread  of  the  future  is  the  hardest  to  bear.  But  here 
we  are  at  the  house :  so  clear  up  that  frowning  face  of  yours, 
Kate.  It  won't  do  to  let  the  governor  see  how  we  have  been 
badgering  his  guest , "  and  Tom  again  laughed  as  he  unfastened 
the  gate  opening  on  the  lawn,  and  his  sister  passed  in. 

"  For  my  part,  I  hope  there  will  be  a  war,"  remarked  Charl- 
ton, "  if  it's  only  for  a  chance  to  teach  you  Yankees  a  lesson." 

"If  lessons  are  the  order  of  the  day,"  I  replied  hotly,  "a 
few  m  politeness  would  do  you  no  harm,  my  fine  gentleman." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?     Do  you  wish  to  insult  me  ?  " 

"Take  it  as  you  will.     I'm  quite  indifferent  as  to  that." 


TAKING   SIDES.  29 

"  Oh,  liere !  this  won't  do,"  exclaimed  Tom  impatiently. 
"  You  forget  we  are  on  the  lawn,  and  the  governor  may  hear 
you.  No  more  of  this  folly,  or  I  shall  quarrel  with  you  both 
in  earnest.  You  must  be  on  your  good  behavior  here,  gentle- 
men." 

Charlton  and  I  nodded  in  silence,  and  followed  Tom  towards 
the  piazza  where  his  father  was  quietly  smoking  his  corn-cob 
pipe. 

"  Ah,  boys  !  been  fishing  again,  I  see,"  said  Mr.  IMarshall  as 
we  came  within  hearing.  "  I  should  think  you  would  have 
tired  of  the  sport  by  this  time.  If  you  keep  at  it  much  longer 
you  will  not  leave  a  single  fish  in  the  river  for  the  darkies." 

"  Not  much  fear  of  that,  sir,"  replied  Tom,  as  he  threw  down 
his  pole  and  string  of  fish.  "  That  Pomp  and  Cesar  of  ours 
would  find  bites  for  their  bait  if  we  fished  till  Christmas.  Let 
them  alone  for  that." 

"You're  right,  Tom.  Those  two  boys  know  a  great  deal 
more  about  the  ways  of  the  river  than  they  do  of  work  in  the 
fields,  confound  them !  —  Pomp,  you  black  rascal,  you  know 
you  do,"  and  Mr.  Marshall  pretended  to  kick  at  a  grinning 
negro  boy  who  was  squatting  on  the  steps  at  his  feet. 

"He!  he  !  'Spect  we  does,  Marse  John.  Dat's  a  fac',"  said 
Pomp,  as  he  rolled  down  the  steps  in  a  convulsion  of  laughter. 
"  But,  Marse  John,  sumbodder's  got  to  fish  de  ribber  besides 
young  Marse  F'rank  and  young  Marse  Tom,  dar,  or  de  fish  dey 
done  run  away  wid  de  ribber,  dare  git  to  be  so  many  ob 
'em." 

"  Get  out,  you  young  rascal,"  cried  the  old  gentleman.  "  See 
that  you  and  Cesar  are  out  in  the  field,  down  by  the  willows, 
in  the  morning  with  the  rest  of  the  gang,  or  I'll  give  you  some- 
thing you  won't  forget  in  a  hurry." 

"  Dat  all  right,  Marse  John  :  I'll  be  down  dar  in  de  field  for 
shuah,  'less  Missy  Kate  she  done  sen'  me  to  de  Ferry  for  dem 
books  o'  her'n,  an'  I  'spect  she  will,"  responded  Pomp,  grinning 
as  if  he  intended  splitting  his  face  from  ear  to  ear  in  the  effort. 


30  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  You  should  have  gone  for  them  to-day,  Pomp,"  remarked 
Kate.     "  I  told  jon  to  go  this  morning." 

"  Couldn't  go  way  down  to  de  Ferry  when  de  missy  she  tole 
me  to  take  Marse  Tom  him  lunshon !  Couldn't  do  de  two 
t'ings  at  de  wunst,  nohow,"  muttered  the  negro  as  he  scratched 
his  woolly  pate  confusedly. 

"  That's  always  the  way  with  those  two  boys,  INIr.  Wilmot," 
said  Mr.  Marshall,  knocking  the  ashes  from  his  exhausted  pipe. 
"  They're  more  bother  to  me  than  all  the  rest  of  my  hands." 

"  I'm  afraid,  sir,  it's  partly  your  own  fault,"  I  replied.  "  You 
never  insist  on  their  tasks  being  performed  promptly  ;  and  the 
boys,  as  you  call  them,  have  studied  your  nature  so  well,  they 
know  just  how  far  they  can  impose  upon  your  good-humor." 

"  Quite  true  ;  but  it  can  not  be  helped  now,  for  I'm  too  old  to 
change,  and  they're  young  yet." 

"True  Virginny  ways,  sah,"  began  Charlton  in  his  usual 
swaggering  manner.  "  We  gentlemen  of  the  South  are  always 
khid  to  our  niggahs." 

"  Not  always,  Mr.  Charlton,"  replied  Mr.  Marshall.  "  I  wish 
they  were." 

"  Oh !  if  the  niggahs  do  get  a  taste  of  the  lash  now  and  then, 
they  generally  deserve  it.  It's  the  only  way  to  keep  them 
in  order." 

"  Indeed !  It's  a  wonder  you  don't  get  a  little  of  it  once  in  a 
while :  you  need  it,"  I  said,  glad  of  an  excuse  to  annoy  him. 

"  Me,  sir !  me  flogged !  "  he  gasped.  "  Why,  I'm  a  gentle- 
man, sir." 

"  So  you  are  always  saying.  You  seldom  say  any  thing  else," 
I  retorted  wickedly. 

"  Gentlemen !  I'm  surprised  to  hear  you  speak  thus.  One 
would  almost  think  that  you  had  been  quarreling,"  said  Mr. 
Marshall. 

"  Oh!  it's  only  sectional  feeling,  as  Frank  calls  it,  sir,"  replied 
Tom,  laughing  in  evident  sympathy  with  me  in  my  thrusts  at 
Charlton. 


TAKING   SIDES.  31 

"  Indeed !  So  j^ou  young  people  have  been  discussing  poli- 
tics ?  I'm  sorry  to  know  it,  for  that  is  a  dangerous  topic  in 
times  like  these.  But  I  had  forgotten :  here's  a  letter  for  you, 
Mr.  Wilmot.  One  of  the  boys  brought  it  over  from  Winches- 
ter ;  "  and  the  old  gentleman  handed  me  an  envelope  that  had 
lain  unnoticed  on  the  railing. 

"  Read  it  after  supper,  Frank,"  said  Tom,  leading  the  way 
up  the  broad  steps.  "  Here  comes  mother,  and  there  goes  the 
gong.  Come,  or  the  butter-cakes  will  spoil,  and  I'm  so 
hungry ! " 


32  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER   III. 

DEFINING   POSITIONS. 

'  Policy  wills  some  seeming  cause  be  had, 
To  make  that  good  which  justice  knows  for  bad." 

AVE  you  forgotten,  my  clear  boy,  that  the  time  for 
your  going  back  to  college  is  drawing  near,  and 
that  we  have  not  yet  seen  you  ?     I  am  a  little  jeal- 
ous of  your  Virginian  friends,  they  are  keeping  my 
rf4sou  so  long  from  me.      Come   home   soon,  dear 
l'(  j'  Frank,  there's  a  good  boy  ..." 

■j^'  Thus  wrote  my  mother  in  the  letter  I  had 
'j I.  received;  and  as  I  sat  at  my  window,  and 
''-■  watched  the  evening  shadows  gather  in  the 
valley,  my  thoughts  went  back  to  the  dear  old 
village,  and  the  loved  ones  waiting  there  for 
me.  My  mother  was  right :  I  had  indeed  over- 
staid  the  limits  of  my  visit  to  Tom  and  his  family.  As  I  sat 
thinking  over  the  events  of  the  day,  a  strange  feeling  of  unrest 
filled  my  heart.  This  hateful  sectional  antagonism  seemed,  all 
at  once,  to  have  rudely  separated  Tom  and  me. 

Realizing  the  fact  with  grief  and  surprise,  I  resolved  to  obey 
my  mother's  summons,  and  leave,  perchance  for  ever,  the  scenes 
marked  by  so  much  past  pleasure  and  present  pain. 

For  a  moment  I  hesitated,  and  then,  obeying  a  sudden 
impulse,  rushed  down-stairs  to  the  piazza,  where  I  hurriedly 
announced  my  intention  of  leaving  on  the  morrow. 

Tom  was  loud  in  his  protests  and  disapproval  of  my  decision. 
"  Why,  you  forget,  Frank,"  he  exclaimed,   "  we  were  to  go 


DEFINING  POSITIONS.  66 

to  Winchester  to-morrow,  and  the  next  day  to  INIartinsburg. 
Surely  a  few  days  more  will  make  no  difference." 

"I  must  go,  Tom.  You  know  I  have  remained  with  you 
longer  than  I  at  first  intended.  Now  my  mother  calls  me 
home,  and  I  shall  obey.  She  has  been  very  patient  at  my  long 
absence." 

"  I  can  sympathize  with  your  mother,  Mr.  Wilmot,"  said  Mrs. 
Marshall.  "  I  have  been  so  happy  in  having  my  son  and  his 
friend  with  me,  that  I  forgot  there  were  other  mothers  in  the 
world  besides  myself." 

"But,  mother,"  persisted  Tom,  "why  should  he  run  off  so 
suddenly  ? —  It's  not  like  you,  Frank." 

"  I  am  loth  to  go,  Tom,"  said  I ;  "  for  I  have  been  very 
happy  here.     But  I  owe  some  attention  to  my  mother." 

"  Your  words  are  good  and  honest,  Mr.  Wilmot ;  and  they 
prove  you  are  as  good  a  son  as  my  Tom,"  remarked  Mrs.  Mar- 
shall, gazing  fondly  at  her  boy  lolling  on  the  railing,  his  hand- 
some face  disfigvxred  by  a  look  of  discontent. 

"  Oh  !  since  you  take  Frank's  part,  mother,  I  shall  say  no 
more.     Your  word  has  always  been  law  in  this  house." 

"I  am  sorry  you  are  going  away  so  suddenly,  Mr.  Wil- 
mot," said  Mr.  Marshall,  leading  me  away  from  the  group. 
"  Tom  has  been  telling  his  mother  and  me  of  the  foolish, 
unwise  argument  on  the  river,  and  also  of  Kate's  saucy  at- 
tack upon  you.  I  trust,  sir,  these  idle  words  among  you 
young  people  have  had  no  influence  towards  this  determina- 
tion to  leave  us." 

"  I  must  confess,  sir,  they  have  ;  though  my  mother's  call  is 
the  strongest  motive.  I  deeply  regret  these  political  differ- 
ences, but  it  seems  impossible  for  Tom  and  me  to  reconcile 
them." 

"  Ah !  Frank,  you  are  too  young,  and  so  is  Tom,  to  clearly 
understand  the  troubles  and  dangers  which  threaten  us.  I  am 
not  as  fierce,  perhaps,  as  some  of  my  neighbors,  in  asserting 
what  they  term  the  rights  of  the  South ;  for  I  can  see,  what 


34  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

many  do  not,  that  if  these  claims  are  persisted  in  we  shall 
eventually  be  placed  in  belligerent  opposition  to  the  govern- 
ment. If  the  ball  of  contention  is  once  set  rolling,  God  only 
knows  where  or  when  it  will  stop." 

"Let  us  hope,  sir,  that  it  will  not  come  to  that  pass,"  I 
replied. 

"  I  am  sorry  I  can  not  indulge  in  such  a  hope,"  said  the  old 
gentleman  sadly.  "  The  current  of  events  is  too  strong,  and 
the  passion  of  political  strife  already  too  bitter,  to  permit  my 
entertaining  it.  When  you  go  home,  Mr.  Wilmot,  please  re- 
member, that,  though  we  men  of  the  South  may  go  into  a  war 
with  the  Northern  States,  many  of  us  will  do  so  with  sad  and 
heavy  hearts;  though  honestly  determined  to  do  our  best  to 
win  in  the  struggle,  once  it  is  fairly  begun." 

"  I  prefer  not  to  think  of  it  at  all,"  I  exclaimed  impetuously. 
"It  seems  like  a  hideous  dream,  this  possibility  of  a  war." 

"  Hideous  indeed.  But  it  is  far  from  being  a  dream :  the 
dread  reality  will  soon  be  upon  us,  I  fear." 

"And  do  you  too  believe  a  war  is  coming?  " 

"I  see  that  there  is  great  danger  of  one." 

"But  why?" 

"  Because  the  temper  of  the  Southern  people,  just  now,  is 
such,  they  will  not  submit  to  see  Lincoln  made  president.  I 
know  you  will  say  that  he  can  not  be  elected  unless  tlie  Demo- 
crats, North  and  South,  persist,  as  they  threaten,  in  dividing 
their  strength  on  rival  candidates ;  but  the  division  of  that 
party  is  mainly  due  to  the  growing  antagonism  between  the 
two  sections  of  the  country." 

"How?" 

"  The  Democrats  of  the  North  and  the  South  can  no  longer 
agree  on  great  national  questions.  And  as  neither  side  Avill 
give  way,  a  hopeless  division  is  the  natural  result." 

"  And  because  they  can  not  agree  on  a  candidate  for  the  presi- 
dency, we  are  to  have  civil  Avar  ?     That  seems  strange." 

"  Not  at  all.     If  the  new  party  —  the   Republicans  —  elect 


DEFINING  POSITIONS.  35 

their  candidate  by  a  plurality  vote,  as  they  must,  he  will  not  be 
the  choice  of  a  majority  of  the  whole  people.  Therefore  the 
Southern  States  will  ask  for  permission  to  withdraw,  and  form 
their  own  government." 

"  That  seems  to  me  very  childish.  Because  the  South  can  not 
have  its  own  way  all  the  time,  it  refuses  to  be  bound  by  the 
laws  and  precedents  it  helped  to  make  and  adopt." 

"  Very  true.  I  grant  you,  it  will  only  be  a  pretext.  But  the 
Southern  leaders  are  reckless  and  desperate,  and  will  eagerly 
avail  themselves  of  that  excuse  for  want  of  a  better  one." 

"  One  would  scarcely  suppose  from  your  words,  ]\Ir.  Mar- 
shall, that  you  were  a  Southerner." 

"  I  presume  not.  I  speak  thus  candidly  to  you,  Mr.  Wilmot, 
because  I  know  I  can  trust  you.  I'm  an  old  man  now,  and 
love  my  country  and  my  State  too  well  not  to  see  the  dangers 
that  threaten  us.  One  of  my  brothers  fought  under  Taylor  in 
Mexico,  and  fell  at  Palo  Alto ;  while  an  uncle  of  mine  partici- 
pated in  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain.  I  should  regret  to 
see  my  son  compelled  to  fight  against  the  flag  they  both  served 
under." 

"  Compelled  ?  " 

"  Yes,  compelled.  Tom  is  a  son  of  the  South,  and  a  Vir- 
ginian. If  his  State  secedes,  as  seems  very  probable,  he  must 
obey  her  sovereignty,  and  take  up  arms  in  her  defense.  There 
is  no  help  for  it." 

"  That  question  of  State  rights  was  one  of  the  very  things 
Tom  and  I  could  not  agree  upon." 

"  Of  course  not.  It  is  one  of  the  vital  issues  of  the  day. 
Upon  it  hinges  the  integrity  or  the  dissolution  of  the  Union. 
Men  everywhere  are  divided  upon  it.  Even  here  in  Virginia 
we  are  not  all  of  one  mind  in  regard  to  it." 

"Tom  says  the  South  is  afraid  the  North  will  attempt  to 
abolish  slavery." 

"  Wiser  and  older  men  than  he  believe  the  same  thing ; 
and  with  good  reason,  I  fear." 


36  BULLET  AND   SUELL. 

"Just  because  the  North  will  not  consent  to  see  slavery 
extended  into  the  new  Territories  ?  " 

"  Precisely.  Don't  you  see  that  that  very  denial  as  to  the 
Territories  is  the  entering  wedge  towards  complete  aboli- 
tion ?  " 

"  But  is  slavery  worth  a  war  ?  " 

"Ah I  Frank,  there  you  touch  on  the  very  marrow  of  the 
entire  question.  The  prosperity  of  the  South  rests  on  her 
slaves.     What  would  we  be  without  them  ?  " 

"  The  free  States  are  prosperous  with  free  labor.'" 

"  Yes.  But  we  need  the  negroes :  if  they  were  once  free 
we  should  be  without  laborers." 

"  If  freed,  the  negro  would  have  to  work  for  his  own  support 
and  that  of  his  family,  just  as  the  white  man  does  in  the 
North." 

"  You  forget  they  have  always  been  slaves,  consequently 
shiftless.  Set  them  free,  and  they  will  not  know  how  to 
accommodate  themselves  to  the  new  state  of  affairs.  They 
are  not  accustomed  to  take  care  of  themselves." 

"  So  much  the  worse  for  the  system  which  made  them  so." 

"  Quite  right.  I  am  not  defending  the  system,  though  I  am 
a  slaveholder.  But  we  have  the  slaves:  why  deprive  us  of  our 
only  resource  ?  why  not  let  well  enough  alone  ?  " 

Before  I  could  reply,  Tom  approached  us. 

"What  are  you  two  talking  so  earnestly  about?"  he  asked. 

"We  are  discussing  politics,  Tom,"  replied  his  father,  "just 
as  you  and  Mr.  Wilmot  did  this  afternoon.  He  tells  me  your 
dispute  is  one  of  his  reasons  for  leaving  us." 

"  Indeed  !  "  exclaimed  Tom.  "  Why,  Frank,  I  did  not  think 
you  so  easily  angered.  We  had  no  quarrel,  though  you  and 
Charlton  came  precious  near  having  one." 

"  I  am  not  angry,  Tom ;  but  I  feel  that  we  are  no  longer  the 
same  warm,  fast  friends  we  were  before  we  fell  into  that  hate- 
ful argument." 

"  Nonsense !     We  do  not  agree,  it  is  true,  on  certain  ques- 


DEFINING   rOSITIONS.  37 

tions,  owing  to  our  different  education ;  but  we  are  not  enemies 
quite  yet,  I  take  it." 

"No,  thank  God !  we  can  never  be  that.  Still,  Tom,  I  wish 
to  go  away  now,  because  I  feel  that  1  shall  be  exposed  to  mis- 
apprehension if  I  stay." 

"  He  is  right,  Tom,"  said  Mr.  Marshall.  "  Once  the  ques- 
tion of  politics  is  touched  upon  in  critical  times  like  these,  it  is 
sure  to  lead  to  grave  misunderstandings.  I  would  fain  see  you 
and  your  friend  part  amicably  while  you  may.  He  belongs  to 
one  section  of  this  unhappy  country,  you  to  another.  You  can 
not  agree,  so  it  is  better  that  you  part  until  happier  and  quieter 
times  come  to  us." 

"Indeed,  sir,  I  shall  always  consider  Tom  a  true  friend," 
said  I. 

"Just  my  feeling,"  exclaimed  Tom,  clasping  my  hand. 

"  That's  right,  my  boys.  Whatever  happens  hereafter,  keep 
your  boyhood  friendship  green  in  your  hearts.  It  will  be  a 
pleasant  memory  to  you  both  as  you  'grow  older." 

"  I  promise  you,  sir,  I  shall  do  so,"  said  I. 

"And  so  do  I,"  cried  Tom  heartily.  "But  come,  governor, 
let's  go  in :  the  dew  is  beginning  to  fall. 


38 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


A  TKUCE. 


"  Nature  I'll  court  in  her  sequestered  baunts, 
By  mountain,  streamlet,  grove,  or  cell." 

S  the  sun  rose  bright  and  clear  the  following 
morning,  it  found  me  already  up,  busily  en- 
gaged in  preparations  for  my  journey.  I  had 
often  thought  of  a  pedestrian  trip  to  Washing- 
ton, crossing  the  Blue  Ridge  into  the  Loudon 
Valley,  thence  through  Aldie  Gap  to  Centre- 
ville,  a  route  described  by  Tom  as  exceedingly 
beautiful  and  interesting.  I  accordingly  de- 
cided to  go  home  that  way,  feeling  that  the 
tramp  over  the  mountains  would  do  me  good. 
"^--i. .  -  On  making  this  announcement  over  night,  Mr. 

Marshall  decided  to  send  the  boy  Pompey  to 
Harper's  Ferry  with  my  baggage,  while  I  was  to  shoulder  my 
knapsack  and  trudge  through  the  Gaps. 

Tom  was  to  acconipany  me  as  far  as  the  foot  of  the  range :  so 
after  a  hearty  breakfast,  and  a  kind  farewell  to  his  parents,  we 
set  out  together. 

As  he  and  I  swung  off  at  a  rapid  pace,  on  entering  the  road 
to  the  mountain-gap,  we  found  the  morning  air  deliciously  cool 
and  fragrant.  The  warm  rays  of  the  rising  sun  had  already  set 
the  heavy  mists  in  motion  on  the  mountains ;  though  they  still 
clung  to  the  peaks  and  lingered  in  the  notches,  thus  conceal- 
ing much  of  the  bold  grandeur  of  the  range  with  which  I  had 
become  so  familiar  during  my  sojourn  in  the  valley.     The  foot- 


A    TRUCE.  39 

hills  and  outlj-ing  spurs  were  rapidly  revealing  themselves  as 
the  banks  of  fleecy  vapor  rolled  upward :  while  down  on  the 
table-land  stray  drifts  were  lying,  pencil-like,^in  the  meadows ; 
but  even  these  were  beginning  to  move  as  the  sun  grew  stronger. 
The  wide  stretches  of  ripening  grain  were  again  in  the  hands 
of  the  negro  harvesters;  and  as  we  trudged  along  the  wide 
road,  their  careless  voices  could  be  heard  above  the  sharp  swish 
of  their  cradles,  cutting  down  the  heavily  laden  wheat-stalks, 
and  we  caught  sight  of  many  bits  of  warm  bright  color  as 
the  laborers  moved  steadily  forward  at  their  tasks.  The  birds, 
too,  were  singing  their  joyful  welcome  to  the  coming  day. 
The  melodious  whistle  of  the  robin,  standing  on  the  stone  fence 
by  the  roadside,  was  answered  by  the  mocking  cry  of  the  saucy 
cat-bird  as  he  swung  like  an  acrobat  on  a  slender  bough  over 
our  heads ;  while  farther  on  I  could  see  the  scarlet  coat  of  the 
Virginia  red-bird,  flitting  like  a  flame  from  bush  to  bush  in 
search  of  food.  The  swallows  were  busily  skimming  over  the 
fields,  catching  the  unwary  insects  as  they  rose  in  the  reviving 
sunshine ;  and  high  up  in  the  sky  hung  a  solitary  eagle,  slowly 
circling  over  the  valley  with  motionless  pinions,  on  the  lookout 
for  some  hapless  and  defenseless  quarry. 

The  grass  by  the  side  of  the  road  was  still  wet  with  the  heavy 
dew  that  had  fallen  during  the  night,  and  the  apple-trees  in  the 
numerous  orchards  were  bending  low  beneath  the  increasing 
weight  of  the  fruit  that  clustered  on  their  limbs.  From  every 
chimney  in  sight,  the  smoke  rose  unbroken  by  the  usual  breeze ; 
and  the  voice  of  the  dairymaid,  calling  to  her  cows,  sounded 
clear  in  the  still  and  perfumed  air.  The  scattered  cattle  in  the 
pastures  cropped  the  juicy  herbage  in  quiet  mood,  undisturbed 
by  the  shrill  neighing  of  Tom's  favorite  horse  as  he  caiue  gallop- 
ing over  the  turf  to  greet  his  master.  Everywhere  the  scene 
was  one  of  contentment,  peace,  and  prosperity. 

These  happy  and  tranquil  features  of  the  landscape  revived 
my  spirits,  and  I  insensibly  grew  more  and  more  cheerful  under 
their  soothing  influence. 


40  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

Tom  chattered  buoyantly  as  we  walked,  with  no  apparent 
thought  or  trouble  on  his  mind.  He  talked  of  our  college 
days,  and  prophesied  my  future  success  ;  and  I  was  content  to 
let  him  run  on  in  this  hopeful  fashion,  for  I  found  relief  in 
silence. 

"  Well,  Frank,  old  fellow,  we  part  here.  Yonder  lies  your 
road,"  said  Tom,  as  we  paused  for  a  moment  on  the  moss-grown 
stone  bridge  that  spanned  the  river  and  led  to  the  mountain 
road  beyond.  "  I'm  sorry  I  can  not  go  with  you  through  the 
Gap,  but  you  know  I  must  go  to  town  to-day  for  the  gov- 
ernor." 

"  We  will  say  ftirewell  here,  then,"  I  replied.  "  It  will  be 
long  before  we  meet  again  :  it  may  be  never." 

"  Oh,  nonsense !  we  are  safe  to  meet  somewhere  in  the 
future,"  responded  my  companion  confidently. 

"  Let  us  hope  so,"  said  I  rousing  myself  with  an  effort :  "  such 
friendship  as  ours  has  been  should  not  be  lightly  broken." 

"  You  may  well  say  that,  Frank.  And  now  good-by.  You 
must  not  linger  here,  for  you  ought  to  get  over  the  mountain 
before  the  sun  gets  fiercer.     Good-by,  my  dear  boy." 

"  Good-by,  Tom.  If  ever  we  meet  again  it  must  still  be  as 
brothers." 

"  Brothers  always  !  "  exclaimed  Tom  with  a  kindling  eye,  as 
he  seized  my  outstretched  hand  with  his  sturdy  and  honest 
grip. 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  so,  for  there's  no  knowing  what 
may  happen  in  these  troublous  times,"  I  replied,  as  I  adjusted 
my  knapsack,  and  turned  to  cross  the  bridge. 

On  reaching  the  turn  in  the  road,  a  few  rods  beyond,  I  looked 
back  for  a  moment,  returned  Tom's  mute  farewell  as  he  stood 
leaning  against  the  parapet,  and  then  strode  forward. 

The  path  to  the  Gap  was  at  times  rugged  and  steep ;  but  the 
difficulties  encountered  suited  my  present  mood,  so  I  struggled 
resolutely  upward  and  onward.  At  first  I  found  myself  in  a 
deep  gorge,  as  it  wound  through  the  dripping  rocks  that  had 


A    TRUCE.  41 

been  cleft  by  some  mighty  convulsion  of  nature  in  past  ages ; 
and  the  uneven  road  gave  me  fresh  surprises  at  almost  every 
turn.  The  huge  masses  of  stone  rose  precipitately  to  the  right 
and  the  left,  like  the  walls  of  some  ancient  castle  ;  their  irregu- 
lar faces  being  touched  here  and  there  with  bits  of  vivid  green, 
Avhere  tiny  ferns  and  mountain  plants  clung  in  the  clefts  or 
drooped  from  the  ridges.  Sprays  of  feathery  creepers  hung 
over  the  rocks  at  random,  their  dark  leaves  brightened  by  stray 
bunches  of  scarlet  berries.  At  the  top,  hardy  trees  towered  to 
the  sky,  their  gnarled  and  twisted  limbs  betokening  many  a 
hard  tussle  with  the  howling  winds  which  had  so  often  torn  in 
mad  fury  over  the  range. 

Passing  through  this  wild  gate  to  the  Gap,  the  road  became 
more  steep,  the  loose  rubble  rendering  my  foothold  precarious 
and  uncertain.  As  jet  the  sunshine  had  not  penetrated  the 
Notch,  and  the  air  was  damp  and  cold ;  so  I  felt  no  fatigue, 
despite  my  exertions.  A  dense  mass  of  foliage  held  this  part 
of  the  road  in  close  possession ;  and  so  wild  and  virginal  did  it 
at  times  become,  that  even  the  pathway  was  invaded  by  ven- 
turesome vines,  as  though  the  forest  was  jealous  of  the  narrow 
domain  seized  by  man. 

Frequently  my  passage  seemed  barred  by  the  immense  bowl- 
ders that  had  fallen  from  the  slopes  above,  thus  compelling  the 
road  to  swerve  around  their  bases,  and  adding  to  the  savage 
beauty  of  the  route.  It  was,  indeed,  Nature  in  her  wildest 
mood,  and  I  reveled  in  the  ever-changing  rudeness  of  the 
scene.  My  heart  grew  lighter  as  I  advanced,  and  I  regained  all 
my  accustomed  spirits. 

Thus  sturdily  climbing  the  steep  and  stony  road,  I  suddenly 
came  to  an  open  ledge,  which  commanded  a  view  of  the  entire 
valley  I  had  left  behind  me.  Standing  on  the  smooth  rock,  as 
on  a  shelf  hung  high  on  the  mountain  side,  my  eyes  wandered 
from  point  to  point,  from  object  to  object ;  and  I  enjoyed,  as 
one  would  quaff  a  delicious  draught,  all  the  varied  and  romantic 
beauty  of  the  landscape  spread  out  before  my  eyes.     Looking 


42  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

up  the  valley,  the  spires  of  the  city  of  Winchester  seemed  to  be 
standing  almost  at  my  feet,  and  I  could  see  each  of  the  villages 
surrounding  the  city  as  they  dotted  the  plain  below.  Farther 
on  rose  the  dome-like  crest  of  Cedar  Mountain,  standing  senti- 
nel over  the  broad  expanse  of  field  and  woodland  lying  between 
the  twin  mountain  ranges.  Berryville  was  to  my  right,  and 
away  beyond  the  town  I  could  distinguish  the  roofs  and  steeples 
of  Charlestown,  embowered  in  foliage ;  while  still  farther  on  I 
caught  glimpses  of  the  Potomac  River,  as  its  waters  glistened 
in  the  distance. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  valley  rose  North  IMountain,  and  in 
the  middle  ground  were  the  forests  surrounding  Mount  Sum- 
mit. An  irregular  line  of  hazel-bush  betrayed  the  course  of 
Opequan  Creek,  on  whose  banks  Tom  and  I  had  whiled  away 
many  an  afternoon  trying  to  lure  the  cautious  trout  from  their 
deep  and  shady  pools.  Right  below  me  stood  the  Marshall 
mansion,  easily  recognized  by  its  cluster  of  walnut-trees,  under 
whose  spreading  branches  I  had  passed  so  many  happy  hours 
in  the  days  gone  by. 

Everywhere,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  were  broad  fields 
of  grain,  interspersed  with  frequent  clumps  of  woods  and 
orchard  dots ;  while  in  the  fields  stood  noble  trees,  like  emerald 
gems,  their  presence  adding  to  the  exquisite  loveliness  of  the 
picturesque  panorama. 

It  was,  indeed,  a  scene  long  to  be  remembered  for  its  peace- 
fulness  ;  and  as  I  stood  there  perched  on  the  mountain  ledge, 
scanning  the  exquisite  landscape,  I  did  not  dream  that  when 
next  my  eyes  would  fall  upon  it  I  should  find  its  features  sadly 
changed  by  the  ravages  of  cruel,  dreadful  war,  —  that  those 
fields,  now  so  yellow  with  shorn  stubble  and  standing  grain, 
would  be  bare  and  brown  ;  the  patriarchal  homesteads  wrecked 
and  ruined  by  angry  shot  and  shell,  with  unsightly  gaps  in 
the  long  lines  of  stone  now  marking  the  divisions  of  the  land, 
where  heavy  cannon  had  been  dragged  back  and  forth  as  the 
fierce  tide  of  battle  ebbed  and  flowed;  or  that  these  green  knolls 


A    TRUCE.  43 

lying  between  me  and  the  picturesque  towns  would  be  scarred 
and  torn  by  lunettes  and  breastworks. 

No,  all  thoughts  of  future  strife  and  carnage  were  absent 
from  my  mind,  as  I  took  my  last  and  lingering  survey  of  the 
beautiful  valley. 

"  Good-by,  Tom,"  I  shouted,  waving  my  hat  over  my  head ; 
and  as  I  did  so  the  tireless  echoes  caught  up  his  name,  repeat- 
ing it  again  and  again.  It  was  a  happy  omen,  and  I  once  more 
sprang  joyously  into  the  path  on  my  homeward  way  over  the 
mountains. 


44 


BULLET  AND  SHELL. 


CHAPTER    V. 


THE    HAND    ON   THE    HILT. 


'  The  country  rings  around  with  loud  alarms, 
And  raw  in  fields  the  rude  militia  swarms." 


m'^'^% 


UR  election  was  over,  the  winter  had  passed, 
and  Lincoln  was  seated  in  the  presidential 
chair.  The  young  party  which  made  so  vig- 
orous a  contest  under  Fremont  had,  after  four 
years  of  persistent  endeavor,  at  length  gained 
sufficient  strength  to  cope  with  the  political 
:  organization  that  had  so  long  held  supreme 
■power  in  the  land,  but  now  hopelessly  divided 
'^  on  national  questions.  The  East  and  the 
West  had  united  in  throwing  the  reins  of  gov- 
ernment into  the  hands  of  the  new  party ;  but 
the  South,  though  humiliated  by  its  defeat 
through  the  ballot,  was  still  defiant,  and  threatened  to  resort 
to  the  bullet  in  defense  of  her  theories  and  institutions.  In 
assuming  this  position,  she  was  greatly  strengthened  by  the 
unwise  utterances  of  Northern  politicians ;  for  their  words  led 
the  Southern  people  to  believe  that  the  North  was  irrevocably 
divided  in  national  sentiment :  so,  Avhile  getting  ready  for  war, 
the  South  believed  that  a  bold  and  threatening  front  would 
intimidate  the  less  belligerent  North. 

The  political  sky  was  full  of  strange  portents  ;  and  the  minds 
of  all  thoughtful  men  on  both  sides  of  the  new  geographical 
line  were  greatly  agitated,  for  none  could  tell  what  a  day  might 
bring  forth.     Scarcely  a  household  in  the  land  but  was  tempo- 


>;:.:31'lM 


■',1''% 


THE  HAND   ON   THE  HILT.  47 

rarily  divided  against  itself,  so  imperfectly  were  the  real  issues 
of  the  time  understood,  or  their  dangers  appreciated. 

Events  crystallized  rapidly  after  the  result  of  the  election 
became  known  ;  and  before  Lincoln  had  taken  his  oath  of  office, 
several  of  the  wayward  States  openly  revolted.  South  Caro- 
lina impetuously  led  the  way  for  her  sisters,  and  alreadj^  the 
busy  note  of  preparation  for  the  threatening  struggle  was  heard 
within  her  borders. 

As  yet  there  had  been  no  overt  act,  beyond  the  seizure  of 
a  fort  or  two,  and  a  navy-yard.  There  were  many  wild  utter- 
ances, but  no  blood  had  yet  been  shed.  A  feeling  of  dread 
rested  upon  the  nation.  Men  feared  each  other,  and  the  ties 
of  personal  friendship  were  visibly  loosened. 

At  length  the  seven  cotton  States  formally  seceded,  and  the 
remaining  slave  States  threatened  to  follow.  Then  the  bolt 
suddenly  fell ;  and  there  came  a  shock  which  stirred  the  nation 
to  its  very  center,  and  set  men's  blood  running  hot  in  their 
veins.  The  national  banner  and  authority  had  at  last  been 
rudely  assailed,  and  a  Federal  garrison  compelled  to  surrender 
to  the  force  of  arms.  In  an  instant  the  veil  was  rent,  and  the 
full  gravity  of  the  situation  stood  revealed  to  the  people. 

Sumter  had  fallen,  and  the  harbor  of  Charleston  bristled  with 
secession  cannon.  The  war  had  at  length  begun  :  there  was  no 
further  hope  of  a  reconciliation.  The  sword  must  now  decide 
the  quarrel.  The  roar  of  cannon  drowned  the  voice  of  peace. 
War's  angry  dogs  were  let  loose. 

Such  was  the  attitude  f\nd  course  of  events  during  the  spring 
of  1861.  I  had  gone  back  to  college,  and  passed  the  winter  in 
quiet  study.  As  the  snow  melted  under  the  elms  in  our  college 
park,  and  the  aged  trees  were  tinged  in  vernal  green,  a  feeling 
of  disquietude  came  upon  me ;  for  the  excited  condition  of  the 
country  had  made  itself  felt,  even  among  the  students.  It  was 
only  a  few  short  months  since  I  had  parted  from  Tom  INIarshall 
on  the  little  stone  bridge  that  spanned  the  winding  river  under 
the  mountains,  yet  how  changed  was  the  situation  !     The  rapid- 


48  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

ity  with  which  the  quarrel  had  taken  visible  shape  made  this 
change  apjaear  all  the  more  terrible,  and  my  mind  wandered 
from  my  books  to  ponder  on  the  possibilities  of  the  future. 
The  college,  too,  was  becoming  deserted ;  for  few  cared  to 
study  the  musty  records  of  the  dead  past  Avhile  our  own  his- 
tor}'  was  being  made  so  rapidly  before  our  eyes. 

With  the  news  of  Anderson's  surrender  ringing  in  my  ears, 
I  impatiently  threw  aside  my  books,  and  abandoned  study. 
Standing  in  the  streets  of  New- York  City,  the  next  day,  I 
saw  a  favorite  regiment  march  over  its  pavements  in  prompt 
response  to  the  call  of  the  government. 

It  was  an  exciting  and  extraordinary  scene ;  and  my  pulse 
throbbed  wildly  that  bright  sunny  April  afternoon,  as  I  wit- 
nessed the  fierce  outburst  of  popular  feeling.  Half  a  million 
of  people  thronged  the  streets  of  the  great  city,  and  waited  in 
surging  masses  to  see  their  citizen-soldiery  march  past.  Traffic 
in  Broadway  was  entirely  suspended  for  the  time,  and  the  busy 
life  of  the  metropolis  seemed  suddenly  diverted  from  its  accus- 
tomed channels.  From  house-tops  and  windows  waved  the 
stars  and  stripes  in  endless  profusion,  while  men  and  women 
w^ore  the  tricolor  on  their  breasts. 

All  classes  of  society  were  excited,  for  the  appeal  of  the 
government  for  protection  and  support  had  roused  the  people 
to  a  realizing  sense  of  their  danger.  The  call  for  troops  had 
broken  down  many  barriers,  and  the  torrent  of  popular  loyalty 
swept  every  thing  before  it. 

The  banker  at  his  desk  had  heard  the  call,  and  pushed  aside 
his  interest-tables  to  obey  it.  The  physician  sitting  beside  his 
patient  had  heard  it,  and  prepared  to  change  the  sphere  of  his 
duty.  The  lawyer  pleading  his  client's  cause  in  the  court- 
room had  heard  it,  and  dropped  his  brief  to  shoulder  a  musket 
in  obedience  to  the  summons.  The  artisan  had  heard  it  above 
the  rattle  of  machinery,  and  threw  away  his  tools  to  take  up 
the  weapons  of  war.  The  clerk  had  heard  it  at  his  counter,  and 
abandoned  his  yardstick  for  the  bayonet.     The  artist  before  his 


THE  UANB   ON   THE  HILT.  49 

easel  had  heard  it,  and  turned  his  canvas  to  the  wall,  there  to  lie 
untouched  until  he  had  done  his  duty  as  a  soldier.  The  fash- 
ionable idler  had  heard  the  appeal  in  his  club-room,  and  rejoiced, 
as  he  pulled  off  his  gloves,  that  at  last  he  had  an  earnest  object 
in  life.  As  all  these  men  came  together  and  fell  in,  shoulder  to 
shoulder,  their  hearts  beat  high  with  enthusiasm ;  and  they 
marched  forward  in  solid  column,  fully  appreciating  the  grave 
responsibility  resting  upon  them. 

While  the  people  waited  for  tlie  militia,  thus  suddenly  sum- 
moned from  every  profession  and  pursuit  in  life,  a  feverish 
excitement  pervaded  the  crowds.  Men  who  the  day  before 
had  angrily  disputed  on  political  questions,  now  clasped  hands 
in  silent  token  of  their  mutual  adherence  to  the  government. 
Bands  of  young  men  marched  up  and  down  the  middle  of  the 
streets,  singing  patriotic  songs,  being  joined  in  the  refrain  by 
the  assembled  multitude.  The  expression  of  feeling  was  decid- 
edly tumultuous ,  but  it  did  not  seem  at  all  out  of  place,  so 
abnormal  was  the  occasion,  so  strange  the  surroundings.  The 
North  was  indeed  rising  in  all  its  might  and  power,  and  every 
man's  face  wore  a  look  of  determination  that  spoke  clearer 
than  words  how  thoroughly  each  individual  appreciated  the 
crisis  at  hand. 

At  length  the  roll  of  drums  is  heard  in  the  distance,  and  afar 
off  we  can  see  the  glitter  of  the  bayonets  as  they  flash  in  the 
rays  of  the  setting  sun.  The  police  become  suddenly  active, 
and  push  the  expectant  people  back  ;  then  the  crowd  parts,  and 
the  head  of  the  column  appears.  It  is  the  gallant  New-York 
Seventh,  stripped  of  all  gaudy  decoration,  but  well  equipped 
for  active  service.  With  full  ranks,  the  knapsacks  giving  the 
command  an  appearance  of  solidity  not  observable  on  holiday 
parade,  the  regiment  marches  steadily  forward  to  the  monot- 
onous beat  of  the  drums.  Men  in  the  ranks  are  recognized  by 
friends  in  the  throng,  and  earnest  farewells  are  uttered. 

"  There's  Jack !  I  see  him  !  Don't  you  ?  See,  right  there 
in  the  middle,"  exclaims  a  young  man  at  my  elbow. 


60  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"Yes,  yes!  That's  him.  That's  Jack._^  Hurrah  for  Jack! 
Good-by,  old  fellow !  "  and  the  speaker  waves  his  hat  wildly, 
and  unconsciously  treads  on  my  foot. 

Jack  hears  his  name,  sees  his  friends,  and  a  warm  flush  of 
pride  mantles  his  face  as  he  gives  a  brief  nod  in  response. 

"  I  wonder  where  Bob  is.  Isn't  this  his  company  ? "  asks 
another.  "  Yes,  there  he  is  now.  God  bless  you,  Bob  !  I'll  look 
after  mother ;  "  and  as  he  exchanges  farewells  with  his  brother, 
the  poor  boy's  eyes  grow  dim  with  manly  tears. 

"  They  march  better  than  ever,"  remarks  a  bystander  crit- 
ically. "  It's  positively  magnificent ;  "  and  he  is  joined  in  his 
cheers  by  all  who  hear  his  words  of  praise.  While  the  men 
cheer  in  their  enthusiasm,  women  weep  as  they  see  some  loved 
face  vanish ;  yet  they,  too,  are  proud  to  see  their  husbands, 
brothers,  or  lovers  so  prompt  in  answering  the  call  of  duty. 

Now  a  tremor  runs  like  a  vibration  through  the  vast  as- 
semblage, as  tidings  come  that  the  sons  of  Massachusetts  have 
been  slain  in  the  streets  of  Baltimore.  The  New- York  soldiers 
marching  down  the  wide  thoroughfare  hear  the  news  as  they 
pass;  but  the  column  of  steel  pauses  not,  and  in  a  moment 
more  it  is  gone. 

The  fact  that  blood  has  been  shed  causes  men  to  gaze  mutely 
into  each  other's  faces  ;  for  now  they  realize  that  at  last  the  seal 
of  peace  has  indeed  been  broken,  and  the  pestilence  of  angry 
war  is  upon  them.  The  half-dozen  lives  sacrificed  that  day  in 
the  Monumental  City  is  but  the  beginning  of  the  bitter  har- 
vest to  come. 

Day  after  day  I  lingered  in  the  feverish  city,  and  day  after 
day  saw  other  regiments  pass  through  its  streets.  Young  men 
marched  in  the  ranks  in  their  citizen's  dress,  carrying  a  musket, 
content  to  wait  for  the  uniform  yet  in  the  workshop.  Others 
carried  knapsacks  for  the  friends  they  escorted  to  the  place 
of  embarkation.  From  other  cities  came  fresh  bodies  of  troops, 
and  recruiting  banners  were  flung  to  the  breeze. 

It  was  wonderful  to  see  how  men  contended  with  one  another 


THE  HAND   ON   THE  HILT.  51 

for  the  privilege  of  enrolling  as  volunteers.  Veteran  officers, 
who  had  simply  hoped  to  raise  a  company,  were  astonished  to 
find  themselves  at  the  head  of  a  regiment.  A  little  band  of 
Mexican  heroes  started  a  battalion,  and  at  the  end  of  a  week 
were  carrying  swords  as  field-officers  in  a  brigade.  Had  the 
government  fully  appreciated  the  full  extent  of  its  needs  at 
that  time,  it  could  have  had  an  army  of  a  million  for  its  first 
campaign. 

Caught  up  by  this  whirlwind  of  martial  feeling,  I  soon  found 
myself  in  the  uniform  of  a  Federal  soldier.  What  mattered  it 
to  me  which  of  the  States  carried  my  humble  name  on  its  rolls, 
—  New  York  or  my  native  New  Hampsliire  ?  The  loyal  States 
were  bound  together  all  the  closer  that  their  sons  served  in 
each  other's  regiments.  It  was  not  the  State  color,  but  the 
National  one,  we  were  to  defend. 


52 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER  VL 


DRAWING  THE  BLADE. 


'Then,  in  the  name  of  God  and  all  these  rights 
Advance  your  standards,  draw  your  willing  swords." 


IX  weeks  passed,  and  we  were  rapidly  learning 
our  duties  as  soldiers  in  camp  of  instruction. 
The  war  was  indeed  assuming  grand  propor- 
tions. In  the  North  the  ties  of  political  party- 
were  loosened,  and  men  now  only  thought  of 
defending  the  integrity  of  the  Union.  All 
of  the  seceding  States  had  already  formed  a 
provisional  government,  and  their  armies  were 
actually  in  the  field.  Beauregard  menaced 
'V  Washington  on  the  plains  of  Manassas,  and 

Federal  troops  were  marching  to  meet  him 
over  the  roads  I  had  tramped  the  previous 
summer.  In  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  Johnston  was  in  possession, 
and  that  beautiful  region  was  beginning  its  experience  of  the 
vicissitudes  of  war.  The  Mississippi  River  was  blockaded  its 
entire  length,  from  Cairo  to  New  Orleans ;  and  a  Confederate 
navy  was  forming  in  Mobile  Bay.  In  the  South-west  other 
opposing  armies  were  confronting  each  other.  It  only  needed 
a  spark  to  set  the  whole  train  in  a  blaze. 

It  was  a  period  of  anxious  expectation.  Armies  were  rising 
on  every  hand  with  amazing  rapidity ;  ship-yards  were  thronged 
with  workmen  engaged  in  transforming  merchant-vessels  into 
ships  of  war ;  founderies  were  turning  out  cannon,  or  casting 
vast  quantities  of  shot  and  shell ;   artisans  were  learning  new 


DRAWING    THE  BLADE.  53 

trades,  for,  instead  of  implements  of  husbandry,  they  were 
fashioning  weapons  for  the  battle-field ;  tender-hearted  women 
wrapped  the  crisp  cartridge,  or  stitched  the  uniforms  of  blue 
and  gray.  The  pruning-hook  was  being  beaten  into  the  sword- 
blade,  and  the  simple  citizen  became  a  soldier.  Throughout 
the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land  a  feverish  activity  prevailed: 
the  pursuits  of  peace  were  abandoned  for  the  perils  of  war. 
New  geographical  lines  had  been  drawn,  and  brother  stood  up 
against  brother ;  for  Hatred  ruled  the  hour,  and  pushed  Reason 
from  her  throne. 

Thus  had  events  progressed,  when,  on  a  bright  j\Iay  morning, 
our  regiment  arrived  at  Fortress  Monroe,  near  the  entrance  to 
Chesapeake  Bay,  to  tread  the  soil  of  Virginia. 

The  scene  in  Hampton  Roads  when  our  steamer  dropped 
anchor  was  a  busy  one.  Coasting-vessels  were  lying  within 
gun-range  of  the  fort,  waiting  to  discharge  their  cargoes,  and 
noisy  little  tugs  were  impudently  snorting  and  puling  as  they 
towed  the  sailing-craft  to  and  fro ;  while  beyond  this  little  fleet 
of  shipping  lay  a  trim  frigate,  her  black  hull  bristling  with 
cannon.  At  the  long  wooden  wharf  were  other  vessels,  their 
decks  in  possession  of  large  gangs  of  negroes,  who,  with  melodi- 
ous chants,  removed  the  boxes  and  barrels  of  provisions,  cases 
of  ammunition,  tents,  lumber,  and  hospital  stores.  On  the  shore 
immense  sheds  were  in  progress  of  erection,  the  carpenters' 
hammers  seeming  to  keep  time  with  the  monotonous  songs  of 
the  wharf-laborers.  Behind  all  rose  the  frowning  walls  of  the 
grim  fortress,  its  grassy  parapets  crowned  with  barbette  guns. 
Away  to  the  right,  beyond  the  fort,  I  could  see  the  camps  of 
the  troops  that  had  preceded  us.  It  was  a  scene  full  of  anima- 
tion and  vigorous  action ;  and,  as  I  watched  the  huge  garrison 
flag  flutter  in  the  breeze  over  the  granite  walls  of  the  fort,  I 
realized  that  at  last  we  were  on  that  mysterious  and  movable 
line,  —  "  the  front." 

All  of  the  men  were  excited  over  this  entrance  upon  campaign 
life :  so  it  Avas  a  great  relief  when  our  steamer  was  summoned 


54  BULLET  ANB   SHELL. 

to  the  wharf  for  our  debarkation.  An  hour  hiter  we  were 
wading  through  the  deep  sand  on  our  vfixy  to  camp,  where  we 
remained  for  weeks,  doing  picket-duty  on  Hampton  Creek, 
diversified  by  an  occasional  reconnoissance  beyond  the  deserted 
village. 

The  men  were  beginning  to  murmur  at  the  lack  of  active 
operations,  when  orders  came  to  attack  some  Confederate  forti- 
fications discovered  at  a  gully  called  Big  Bethel,  on  the  road  to 
Yorktown.  Our  regiment  was  to  move  with  others  at  midnight ; 
and  as  the  extra  rounds  of  ball  cartridge  were  issued,  we  were 
told  to  get  all  the  sleep  we  could  before  the  hour  for  starting 
arrived.  A  better  method  for  keeping  us  all  awake  could  not 
have  been  devised,  as  scarcely  an  eye  was  closed  during  the  night. 

While  lying  in  ni}'  tent,  listening  to  the  wild  surmises  of  my 
comrades,  my  thoughts  drifted  far  away.  I  had  not  heard  from 
Tom  Marshall  since  Christmas,  when  he  informed  me  that  even 
then  he  was  enrolled  as  a  defender  of  the  Southern  cause. 
Now  we  were  indeed  ranged  on  opposite  sides  of  the  great 
quarrel,  as  both  he  and  Kate  had  prophesied  ;  and,  though  I  felt 
strengthened  in  my  own  course  by  the  brave  letters  of  my 
mother,  who  approved  the  step  I  had  taken,  I  was  depressed 
by  the  thought  that  our  convictions  regarding  individual  duty 
had  placed  my  friend  and  myself  in  such  decided  antagonism. 
True,  there  was  little  probability  that  Tom  and  I  would  ever 
meet  in  the  field  ;  and  I  found  some  comfort  in  that  belief  as  I 
pondered  on  the  possibilities  of  the  morrow. 

Midnight  came  at  last,  when  word  was  passed  from  tent  to 
tent  for  the  several  companies  to  form.  The  order  was  obeyed 
with  alacrity.  It  was  as  dark  as  pitch  when  we  entered  the 
main  road,  not  even  the  stars  being  visible ;  while  the  knowl- 
edge that  we  were  going  to  battle  made  the  movement  all  the 
more  strange  and  thrilling.  It  being  our  first  experience  of 
real  work,  the  sense  of  danger  nerved  every  heart.  We  had 
not  yet  attained  the  coolness  of  veterans  ;  but,  feeling  brave  and 
confident,  we  obeyed  this  summons  to  battle  with  enthusiasm. 


BEAWING    THE  BLADE.  55 

Stumbling  along  in  open  column,  we  pushed  on  tlirough  the 
darkness  silently  but  eagerly,  until,  after  a  two-hours'  march, 
we  were  led  into  a  bit  of  woods  on  the  right  of  the  road,  and 
ordered  to  lie  down.  As  we  did  so,  I  began  wondering  what 
the  result  of  the  approaching  engagement  would  be.  Here  I 
lay,  musket  in  hand,  among  men  of  whose  existence  I  had  been 
ignorant  a  few  short  weeks  before  ;  and,  as  I  stretched  my  tired 
body  on  the  soft  and  fragrant  earth,  I  realized  the  grim  earnest- 
ness of  the  situation.  In  a  few  hours  I  might  be  among  the 
dead,  lying  motionless  on  the  battle-field,  or  groaning  in  an 
ambulance,  sick  with  pain  and  loss  of  blood.  Yet  a  strange 
feeling  of  content  rested  upon  me ;  and,  though  we  were  all 
nervous  over  the  suspense,  I  noticed  no  symptoms  of  coward- 
ice. Few  of  us  spoke,  even  in  whispers,  for  silence  had  been 
strictly  enjoined ;  and  the  absence  of  all  sound  among  so  many 
men  was  to  me  more  painful  to  bear  than  any  actual  fighting 
could  possibly  be. 

Suddenly  the  dull  sound  of  distant  musketry  somewhere  in 
our  rear  broke  the  wearisome  silence,  and  a  tremor  ran  through 
the  ranks ;  then  we  heard  the  rapid  galloping  of  a  horse  in  the 
road,  and  soon  after  learned  that  two  of  our  regiments  coming 
up  had  met  at  a  cross-roads,  and  emptied  a  volley  into  each 
other  in  the  darkness,  two  or  three  having  been  killed,  and 
several  wounded.  Of  course  this  contretemps  destroyed  all 
hopes  of  a  surprise,  which  was  a  foolish  idea  from  the  begin- 
ning, and  showed  how  little  our  officers  appreciated  the  sagacity 
of  our  antagonists. 

"  I  tell  yez  what  it  is,  byes !  "  exclaimed  Dennis  Malone,  the 
only  Irishman  in  my  company,  as  he  crept  into  his  place  in  the 
ranks  from  some  undergrowth  in  front,  "  thim  rebs  beyant  are 
up  to  snuff.  I've  bin  down  among  our  skarmishers,  who  are 
lying  on  their  bellies  over  there ;  and  by  all  that's  holy,  thim 
divils  in  the  breastworks  are  out  among  their  big  guns  wid 
their  lanterns !  They'll  make  it  hot  for  us  to-morrer,  or  my 
name's  not  Dinnis." 


56  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"Well,  this  is  the  first  time  I  ever  heard  of  an  Irishman 
being  afraid,"  said  I,  as  we  all  laughed  at  Dennis's  speech. 

"  You  know  better  than  that,  corporal,"  retorted  Dennis. 
"  It's  not  afeard  I  am,  at  all,  at  all ;  but  if  we  don't  have  the 
divil's  own  scrimmage  before  long,  ye  may  take  my  head  for  a 
fut-ball." 

"  So  you  saw  lanterns,  did  yovi,  Dennis  ? "  I  replied  in  a 
bantering  tone.  "  Are  you  sure  you  were  not  dreaming  of  the 
will-o-the-wisps  in  your  native  bogs  ?  " 

"  I'll  tell  yez  what  it  is,  corporal :  you're  my  suparior  officer, 
and  I  may  not  know  as  much  about  Greek  or  Latin  as  yersilf ; 
but,  if  you  think  I  don't  know  the  difference  'twixt  a  lantern 
and  a  bog-light,  I  can't  say  much  for  yer  larnin"." 

As  the  indignant  Dennis  uttered  these  words,  half  a  dozen 
muskets  were  discharged  on  our  skirmish-line. 

"  Hurroo  !  they're  beginning  the  fun.  We'll  all  be  kilt  before 
night,  or  loaded  down  wid  glory  ! "  he  shouted,  fairly  dancing 
on  his  knees  with  excitement  and  delight. 

"  Silence  in  the  ranks  !  "  exclaimed  Capt.  Harding,  who  com- 
manded our  company.     "  Silence,  I  say  !  " 

"  We'll  be  as  mute  as  oysters,  darlint,"  responded  the  irre- 
pressible Irishman,  in  a  sort  of  stage-whisper.  "  But  why  don't 
yez  stop  those  skarmishers  beyant  ?  Shure,  they're  making  the 
most  noise." 

Just  then  one  of  our  cannon,  that  had  been  placed  in  posi- 
tion on  a  knoll  behind  us,  opened  fire,  and  sent  a.  shell  shriek- 
ing over  our  heads. 

"  Holy  mother  of  Moses  !  An'  what's  that  ?  "  bellowed  Den- 
nis, as  he  cowered  with  the  rest  of  us  under  the  awful  sound. 

"  Only  a  shell,  you  fool,"  testily  remarked  our  sergeant. 
"  Haven't  you  ever  heard  one  before  ?  " 

"A  shell,  is  it?  I'm  much  obleeged  to  you  for  the  informa- 
tion. No,  I've  never  heard  one  before  ;  and  je  were  not 
brought  up  on  that  sort  of  egg-meat,  either,  Mr.  Sargeant." 

Dennis's  whimsical  answer  turned  the  laugh  on  the  sergeant ; 


J^S> 


DRAWING    THE  BLADE.  59 

but,  while  we  were  enjoying  his  sally,  the  guns  in  the  breast- 
works replied  by  sending  one  of  their  shells  crashing  through 
the  trees,  and  we  heard  a  smothered  groan  down  the  line,  start- 
ling evidence  that  some  poor  fellow  had  been  hit. 

There  was  no  fun  in  this,  so  we  again  became  silent  and 
watchful,  for  none  knew  where  the  next  shell  might  strike  ;  and 
there  were  more  evidently  coming,  for  our  artillery  began  get- 
ting to  work  briskly.  By  this  time  it  was  growing  light,  and 
we  were  able  to  see  objects  about  us.  Then  the  order  was 
given  for  us  to  advance  through  the  woods,  and  I  saw  that  our 
line  of  battle  extended  across  the  road. 

"  I  say,  Wilmot,"  remarked  Sam  Foster,  my  file  neighbor, 
"  isn't  this  horrid  ?  Going  through  these  woods,  to  meet  we 
know  not  what,  —  maybe  to  get  a  bullet  in  one's  stomach  before 
you  can  tell  where  it  comes  from." 

"  Just  my  feeling,  Sam,"  I  replied.  "  But  if  the  bullets  go 
for  your  stomach  they'll  find  it  pretty  full  already,  judging  by 
the  way  you  punished  the  hard-tack  last  night." 

"Might  as  well  get  killed  with  a  full  belly  as  with  an 
empty  "  — 

I  heard  no  more  of  Sam's  speech;  for  at  that  moment  a 
terrific  roar  assailed  our  ears,  and  a  storm  of  bullets  whistled 
over  our  heads.  One  or  two  of  the  men  in  the  company  on 
our  right  went  down ;  and  I  involuntarily  shook  myself,  half 
expecting  to  find  a  wound.  A  minute  after,  we  received 
another  volley,  and  there  were  more  men  down.  Then  we 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  new  earth  forming  the  Confederate 
breastworks  as  they  frowned  on  the  other  side  of  the  narrow 
gully.  At  once  nearly  every  man  in  the  ranks  began  firing 
without  orders,  much  to  the  disgust  of  our  colonel. 

"Stop  that  firing,  you  confounded  fools!"  he  shouted 
angrily :  "  wait  until  you  get  the  word." 

But  we  never  got  the  word ;  for  in  a  few  minutes  we  were 
told  to  fall  back,  the  shells  coming  in  pretty  fast.  We  did  not 
mind  them  much  now,  for  we  were  beginning  to  understand  that 


60  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

everybody  does  not  get  killed  in  a  battle.  The  order  to  retreat 
disgusted  the  men ;  but  we  obeyed,  supposing  it  to  be  a  change 
in  the  plan.  As  the  regiment  moved  off,  my  foot  caught  in  a 
projecting  root,  and  I  fell ;  finding,  when  I  tried  to  get  up,  that 
my  ankle  was  sprained.     Here  was  a  ridiculous  predicament. 

"  What's  the  matter  wid  ye,  corporal  ?  Why  the  divil  don't 
ye  get  up?  Shure,  the  rigiment  is  retrating."  And  Dennis 
leaned  compassionately  over  me  as  I  writhed  in  pain. 

"  Never  mind  me,  Dennis :  go  with  the  boys.  I've  sprained 
my  ankle." 

"  Is  it  lave  yer,  and  ye  right  forninst  the  inimy  ?  The  divil 
a  fut  I'll  stir  until  I  see  ye  get  up.  It's  an  illigant  excuse  I've 
got,  so  I  have,  for  staying  out  here." 

"  If  you  gave  me  a  lift,  Dennis,  perhaps  I  might  be  able  to 
hobble  off  to  the  rear." 

"  Shure,  an'  that  wud  be  flying  in  the  face  of  Providence. 
Ain't  yer  fut  sprained  on  purpose  to  kape  ye  out  here  ?  Rest 
aisy  a  bit  where  yer  are  until  we  see  what's  going  on,"  replied 
Dennis,  as  he  began  peering  through  the  trees  towards  the  gully. 

"  It  may  be  a  Providence  for  me,  Dennis ;  but  it  cannot 
include  j^ou.  So,  if  you  won't  help  me,  why,  go  and  join  the 
regiment,"  said  I,  angry  at  my  companion's  pertinacity,  despite 
its  whimsical  phase. 

"  What's  good  for  one,  corporal,  is  good  enough  for  two. 
I'll  tell  ye  what  I'll  do.  I'll  crawl  down  there  and  see  what 
they're  doin',  and,  then  I'll  come  back  and  tell  ye,"  replied  the 
fellow,  undaunted  by  my  evident  anger. 

"  Precious  little  good  that  will  do  me.  What  do  you  want 
on  the  skirmish-line  ?  To  get  a  bullet  through  that  obstinate 
head  of  yours !     Stay  where  you  are." 

As  I  spoke,  the  line  of  skirmishers  suddenly  appeared  all 
around  us,  as  they  fell  back,  at  the  same  time  keeping  up  a 
scattering  irregular  fire. 

"  Halloo  !  what  are  you  two  men  doing  here  ?  "  exclaimed  the 
officer  commanding  the  line.     "  Where's  our  regiment  ?  " 


DRAWING    THE  BLADE. 


61 


"  They  have  moved  back,  lieutenant,  somewhere  in  the  rear," 
I  replied  hurriedly.  "I've  sprained  my  ankle,  and  can  not 
walk ;  while  this  foolish  Irishman  persists  in  staying  with 
me." 

"  That's  bad.  But  you  must  get  out  of  here  somehow, 
corporal ;  for  we  are  changing  front,  and  you'll  soon  be 
between  two  fires.  Try  and  get  up,"  the  lieutenant  continued 
kindly,  "and  we'll  help  you  along." 


THE  RETREAT  FROM   THE   FIELD. 


I  scrambled  to  my  feet,  and,  leaning  on  Dennis's  shoulder, 
began  limping  to  the  rear ;  the  skirmishers  now  banging  away 
as  fast  as  they  could  load  and  fire. 

"  Well,  corporal,  an'  this  is  quare  work,"  said  Dennis. 
"  Here  we  are  right  in  the  middle  of  a  scrimmage,  and  neither 
of  us  firing  a  shot.  If  ye'll  rest  yersilf  against  that  tree  for  a 
minnit,  I'll  sind  both  of  our  bullits  into  thim  divils." 

"All   right,    Dennis.     Here's   my   musket:    blaze   away,"  I 


62  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

replied,  laughing  at  the  suggestion.  "But  mind,  if  you  hit 
anybody  with  my  ball,  it  goes  to  my  credit." 

"  Av  coorse.  Here's  at  ye,  my  darlints,"  cried  Dennis,  as  he 
brought  his  piece  to  his  shoulder,  and  pulled  the  trigger,  fol- 
lowing up  the  shot  with  another  random  one  from  my  weapon. 

"  Well,  how  many  have  you  killed  ?  "  I  asked,  as  I  took  back 
m}'-  empty  gun. 

"  Not  more  than  a  dozen.  Shure,  I  didn't  see  any  one  to 
shoot  at,  but  maybe  the  buUits  went  crooked.  Come  along, 
corporal :  we'll  retrate  now  in  good  ordher." 

Despite  my  pain  I  managed  to  keep  moving,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  after  entered  the  field  where  our  regiment  was  stand- 
ing in  line.  As  Dennis  and  I  came  in  sight,  two  or  three  of  my 
tent-mates  ran  forward,  thinking  I  was  wounded. 

"  It  is  only  a  sprain,"  said  I  in  explanation,  chagrined  at 
the  accident  which  would  prevent  my  going  into  action  with 
my  comrades. 

But  there  was  no  more  fighting  for  any  of  us  that  day.  The 
field-piece  in  the  road  kept  up  a  desultory  fire  for  nearly  an 
hour ;  and  once  we  heard  a  loud  cheer  towards  the  left  of  our 
line,  followed  by  some  sharp  musketry.  Then  a  lull  ensued, 
and  the  shells  came  less  frequently.  After  waiting  for  another 
hour,  we  were  told  the  battle  was  over. 

"What  I  No  more  fighting?"  exclaimed  Dennis.  "Shure, 
we've  had  none  at  all,  barring  those  few  shots  we  got  in  before 
the  colonel  stopped  our  fun." 

Just  then  a  fatigue-party  passed  through  our  line,  carrying 
twenty  or  thirty  poor  fellows  who  were  groaning  over  their 
wounds ;  and  we  learned  that  ten  or  twelve  had  been  killed, 
including  the  officer  commanding  the  battery,  and  Major  Win- 
throp  of  Gen.  Butler's  staff.  So  there  must  have  been  serious 
work  somewhere,  though  we  had  not  seen  much  of  it. 

Thus  ended  our  first  battle,  and  it  was  a  fortnight  before  I 
could  report  for  duty. 

Then  came  the  news  of  McClellan's  victories  in  West  Vir- 


DRAWING   THE  BLADE.  63 

ginia ;  and  the  tide  of  war  drifted  for  a  time  into  the  South-west, 
with  varying  success  to  either  side.  But  all  these  movements 
were  of  secondary  importance  to  the  impending  conflict  in  the 
Virginia  Valley  near  Centerville ;  and  when  it  ended  in  the  de- 
feat and  rout  of  the  Federal  army  under  McDowell,  at  Bull 
Run,  the  Northern  people  began  to  understand  that  the  South- 
erners could  fight  as  stubbornly  and  courageously  as  them- 
selves. It  was  now  evident  that  the  war  was  not  to  be  ended 
in  a  single  campaign,  and  preparations  were  made  accordingly. 


64 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


THROWING  AWAY  THE  SCABBAKD. 

'I  see  you  stand  like  greyhounds  in  the  slips, 
Straining  upon  the  start.    The  game's  afoot." 


HE  spring  of  1862  found  the  two  sections  still 
arrayed  against  each  other,  with  a  greatly  in- 
creased area  of  operations  on  both  sides.  In 
the  West  and  South-west  the  names  of  Thomas 
and  Rosecran,  of  Sherman  and  Grant,  were 
becoming  known  as  those  of  P^ederal  leaders ; 
while  McClellan,  Banks,  Pope,  and  Heintzel- 
man  rose  to  command  in  the  East.  Hereto- 
fore campaigns  had  been  conducted  almost  at 
random,  no  concerted  plan  being  laid  down. 
'■■•>■■■  Now  all  this  was  to  be  changed.     Henceforth 

a  definite  scheme  was  to  be  carried  out,  with 
three  main  objects  in  view,  —  the  enforcement  of  the  block- 
ade along  the  Atlantic  coast,  the  opening  of  the  Mississippi 
River,  and  the  capture  of  Richmond,  the  Confederate  capital. 
The  navy,  reinforced  and  strengthened,  was  to  do  the  first,  the 
Western  armies  would  attempt  the  second,  while  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  was  to  accomplish  the  third  part  of  the  plan  of 
operations. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Confederates,  under  Breckenridge, 
Sydney  Johnston,  and  Beauregard,  had  established  a  strong 
line  of  defense  in  the  West,  extending  from  the  Mississippi  to 
the  Cumberland  Mountains ;  their  right  resting  on  Mill  Spring 
and  Cumberland  Gap,  with  the  left  at  Columbus.     Fort  Donel- 


THROWING  .lir.-ir   THE  SCABBARD.  65 

son  and  Fort  Henry  held  the  Tennessee  and  Cumberland 
Rivers,  while  Bowling  Green  protected  the  railroads  running 
south  of  Nashville.  Johnston,  commanding  the  Army  of  North- 
ern Virginia,  covered  the  James  River  and  Richmond  with  his 
left,  at  the  same  time  threatening  Washington.  These  varied 
operations,  covering  as  they  did  so  wide  an  area  of  territory, 
betokened  a  desperate  series  of  campaigns  during  the  summer. 

Halleck,  commanding  the  Western  Federal  forces,  had  been 
instructed  to  pierce  the  enemy's  center,  and  so  open  the  way  to 
Nashville,  and  recover  a  part  of  the  Mississippi-river  front,  as 
well  as  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad,  then  the  main  route 
of  communication  between  the  Eastern  and  Western  branches 
of  the  Confederate  armies.  McClellan  was  to  take  his  com- 
mand up  the  Virginia  peninsula,  and  march  direct  on  Rich- 
mond ;  while  Banks  defended  Washington,  and  Pope  operated 
in  the  Virginia  Valley  toAvards  Culpepper.  Burnside  was  at 
Newbern  on  the  coast,  and  Gilmore  was  besieging  Pulaski. 

In  January  Thomas  repulsed  a  Confederate  assault  at  Logan's 
Cross-roads,  which  compelled  the  latter  to  abandon  j\lill  Spring ; 
and  in  the  following  month  Grant  captured  Forts  Donelson  and 
Henry,  these  victories  being  followed  by  the  evacuation  of 
Columbus  and  Bowling  Green.  With  so  good  a  beginning,  the 
campaign  opened  brightly  for  the  Federals.  It  only  remained 
for  the  Eastern  armies  to  achieve  like  success,  to  speedily  end 
the  war.     But  the  quarrel  was  not  to  be  decided  so  easily. 

During  the  blustering  days  of  March,  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  moved  from  Alexandria  by  transports,  and  landed  at 
Fortress  Monroe,  being  also  greatly  reinforced  by  troops  from 
Maryland  and  the  Susquehanna  Valley.  Our  regiment  had  spent 
the  winter  in  Baltimore,  and  took  part  in  a  bloodless  campaign 
under  Gen.  Dix  on  the  Chesapeake  peninsula :  so  we  joined  the 
army  with  high  hopes  for  the  future.  Promotion  had  come  to 
many  of  our  officers,  who  entered  other  regiments ;  and  I  now 
wore  the  chevrons  of  a  sergeant. 

For  the  second  time  in  ten  months  I  found  myself  on  board 


66  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

a  steamer  lying  in  Hampton  Roads,  once  more  the  spectator  of 
a  busy,  interesting  scene.  Steamers  from  the  New-England 
coast,  Long-Island  Sound,  the  Hudson  and  the  Delaware  Rivers, 
lay  here  side  by  side,  their  broad  decks  black  with  troops  im- 
patiently waiting  for  orders  to  land.  At  the  old  familiar  wharf 
other  steamers  were  being  rapidly  emptied  of  their  living- 
freight,  a  constant  stream  of  armed  men  marching  past  the 
forts.  A  countless  fleet  of  sailing-vessels  were  also  anchored 
in  the  Roads,  laden  with  supplies  ;  and  in  the  offing  several  war- 
vessels  afforded  the  needful  protection.  In  their  midst  we  dis- 
covered the  little  queer-shaped  Monitor,  which  had  only  a  few 
days  before  beaten  off  the  Confederate  iron-clad.  Towards  the 
mouth  of  the  James  River  the  submerged  masts  of  two  frigates, 
"  The  Congress "  and  "  The  Cumberland,"  attested  the  su- 
periority of  armored  vessels  over  wooden  ones. 

The  air  was  raw  and  cold  when  our  morning  roll  was  called ; 
and  the  men  huddled  on  the  deck  in  their  overcoats,  hoping  to 
see  the  sun  shine  before  we  came  to  land.  This  hope  was  grati- 
fied ;  for  by  the  time  we  received  our  signal  to  disembark,  the 
clouds  disappeared,  and  the  day  grew  warm  and  cheerful. 

Already  the  armj'^  was  on  its  way  up  the  peninsula ;  and  as 
we  went  into  camp  on  the  Newport  News  road,  I  could  see  long 
lines  of  troops  marching  towards  our  old  battle-ground  at  Big 
Bethel,  their  immense  trains  of  wagons  toiling  through  the  deep 
sand  in  every  direction.  To  us  the  familiar  ground  was  full  of 
interest,  but  the  pressure  of  so  large  an  army  had  obliterated 
all  but  the  leading  landmarks.  By  the  end  of  a  week  it  came 
our  turn  to  move  to  the  front,  and  in  the  early  days  of  AprU 
we  entered  the  eanip  before  Yorktown.  Days  of  inaction 
lengthened  into  weeks,  and  we  began  wondering  at  the  slow 
progress  made.  The  army  was  restive  at  being  thus  held  in 
leash  in  sight  of  the  enemy,  though  it  willingly  dug  trenches 
and  hauled  siege-guns  to  the  batteries. 

My  Zouave  comrades  were  restless  at  their  confinement  in 
camp :  so  it  Avas  with  almost  boyish  delight  that  we  received 


THROWING  AWAY  THE  SCABBABD. 


67 


orders  to  go  to  the  fortifications.  A  day  was  first  spent  in  the 
woods,  learning  how  to  make  gabions  and  fascines ;  and  the  next 
night  we  were  furnished  witli  shovels  and  pickaxes.  The  moon 
was  struggling  behind  a  heavy  bank  of  clouds  as  we  silently 
marched  over  an  old  cornfield,  until  we  reached  the  high  bank 
of  the  York  River,  opposite  Gloucester  Point.     With  a   few 


^"^. 


^ 


.\   THE   TKENCHES. 


whitewashed  palings  from  a  neighboring  garden-fence  the  out- 
lines of  our  proposed  battery  were  laid  out  in  an  orchard,  and 
the  work  of  digging  proceeded  merrily.  It  was  something  to 
do  at  last ;  and  the  task  was  greeted  as  a  positive  pleasure. 

About  midnight  I  was  sitting  on  the  edge  of  the  long  pit, 
quietly  watching  my  platoon  at  work,  when  I  became  aware  of 
the  presence  of  a  small  group  of  officers,  closely  shrouded  in 


68  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

their  long  night-cloaks.  The  uncertain  light  given  by  our  lan- 
terns as  they  stood  hidden  in  the  pit  afforded  me  no  clew  as  to 
the  identity  of  these  visitors,  though  I  felt  satisfied  they  were 
of  high  rank. 

"  Good-evening,  sergeant,"  said  one  of  the  group,  in  a 
musical  voice:   "you're  busy  at  work,  I  see." 

"  Yes,  sir,"  I  replied  respectfully  :  "  the  boys  are  doing  very 
well,  considering." 

"  They  have  dug  splendidly  ;  haven't  they,  Marcy  ?  "  said  the 
officer  to  one  of  his  companions.  "  Look  at  that  cut :  it's  as 
straight  as  a  wall." 

"  Sa-ay,  sargeant,"  cried  Dennis,  as  he  wiped  his  perspiring 
face,  "how  many  guns  are  they  going  to  put  up  here  ?  " 

"  Four,  I  believe,"  was  my  reply. 

"  My  man,"  said  the  unknown,  as  he  leaned  against  the  trunk 
of  the  apple-tree,  "  how  do  you  like  digging  trenches  ?  " 

"  Troth,  your  honor,  it's  fine  fun  at  the  beginning,"  replied 
Dennis  diplomatically. 

"Rather  tiresome  fun,  I  should  judge,"  remarked  the  officer, 
evidently  amused. 

"  You'd  think  it  fun  to  have  to  dig  a  big  hole  like  this  before 
daylight,  right  forninst  the  inimy's  guns,"  explained  my  Irish 
comrade. 

"  Ah !  I  understand.  Marcy,  don't  you  think  Warren  is 
going  a  little  too  deep  ?  "  said  the  stranger. 

"  Begorra,  an'  if  we  keep  on  much  longer,  it's  my  belafe  we'll 
be  in  Chiny  before  morning ! "  exclaimed  Dennis,  much  to  the 
amusement  of  his  comrades. 

"  Confound  your  impudence ! "  angrily  cried  the  officer  ad- 
dressed as  Marcy :  "  do  you  know  whom  you  are  talking  to  ?  " 

"  Divil  a  bit !  and  what's  more,  I  don't  care.  Shure,  ain't  we 
all  one  color  in  the  dark?"  undauntedly  retorted  Dennis. 

"  Let  him  alone,  Marcy.  The  man  means  no  impertinence," 
said  our  mysterious  visitor. 

"  Well,  general,  if  you  will  persist  in  masquerading  in  this 


TUROWING  AWAY  THE  SCABBAIiD.  69 

way,  I  suppose  we  must  expect  these  incidents,"  replied  General 
Marcy,  whom  I  had  by  this  time  recognized  as  General  Mc- 
Clellan's  chief  of  staff. 

"  Oh,  fudge  !  I  like  to  see  and  hear  what  my  men  are  doing, 
and  how  they  feel,"  said  the  general. 

"  Please  forgive  Dennis,  sir,"  said  I :  "he's  always  getting  into 
a  scrape  with  that  foolish  tongue  of  his." 

"  Forgive  him  ?  Why,  sergeant,  there's  nothing  to  forgive. 
Good-night,  and  just  tell  your  Irish  friend  that  General  Mc- 
Clellan  hopes  he  will  get  into  Yorktown  before  he  drops 
through  into  China ;  "  and  with  a  merry  laugh  the  commander 
of  our  army  disappeared  in  the  darkness. 

The  news  that  "  Little  Mac  "  had  visited  us  soon  circulated, 
and  it  was  wonderful  to  witness  the  enthusiasm  manifested  by 
the  men  over  their  general. 

The  next  morning  our  redoubt  was  so  far  advanced  that  the 
working-party  were  entirely  under  cover,  and  we  continued  to 
finish  the  details  undisturbed  by  the  shells  thrown  over  our 
heads  by  the  Confederate  batteries  on  the  other  side  of  the 
river.  In  a  week  the  huge  Parrott  guns  were  in  position,  and 
we  prepared  to  reply  to  the  favors  already  received.  It  was 
our  first  experience  at  real  gunnery :  so  when  the  four  iron  mon- 
sters were  discharged,  the  stunning  reports  caused  considerable 
confusion,  and  we  actually  forgot  to  watch  the  effects  of  our 
shells.  But  the  artillery  officer  directing  our  movements 
seemed  well  satisfied,  for  he  ordered  the  guns  to  be  again 
loaded.  After  a  little  practice  we  learned  the  range ;  and  a  day 
or  two  after,  the  artillery  captain  carefully  sighted  the  pieces, 
and  ordered  a  broadside.  At  the  simultaneous  discharge  of 
our  whole  battery,  we  rushed  through  the  smoke  of  the  guns  to 
the  ramparts,  and  saw  our  four  shells  explode  in  a  bunch  over 
the  water-battery.  A  moment  after,  a  big  column  of  white 
smoke  rose  from  the  battery,  hiding  it  for  the  moment  from 
our  sight ;  and  the  air  was  full  of  flying  fragments. 

"  By  Jove !  boys,  you've  done  it  this  time,"  exclaimed  the 


70  BULLET  ANT)   SHELL. 

captain.  "  Their  magazine  must  have  blown  up.  See !  the 
guns  have  tumbled  into  the  water,  and  part  of  the  cliff  is  falling." 

This  feat  led  to  our  regiment  being  transferred  to  the  right 
of  the  main  line,  where  we  remained  in  charge  of  the  batteries 
until  Yorktown  was  evacuated. 

It  was  now  May ;  but,  though  we  had  been  six  weeks  in  the 
field,  our  advance  had  been  lamentably  slow.  Yet,  while  our 
confinement  in  a  comparatively  small  area  told  upon  the  health 
of  the  army,  there  was  no  grumbling.  Surrounded  as  we  were 
by  pestilential  swamps,  disease  was  rife ;  and,  though  we  had 
not  seen  a  battle,  the  hospitals  were  rapidly  filling.  Our  gen- 
eral, in  protecting  us  from  Magruder's  shells,  had  not  cheated 
Death  of  his  harvest.  The  army  had  already  lost  as  many  men 
by  malaria  as  it  would  have  required  to  seize  the  earthworks 
of  the  Confederates  by  direct  assault. 

On  the  night  of  the  3d  of  May,  I  leaned  over  the  breech  of 
my  gun,  thinking  of  the  bombardment  we  were  to  begin  on 
the  morrow.  All  was  silent  about  me,  only  the  hoarse  chal- 
lenge of  some  sentinel  breaking  the  silence.  The  moon  was 
hidden  by  a  heavy  bank  of  clouds  ;  and,  in  the  trenches  behind 
our  line  of  forts,  five  thousand  men  lay  asleep  on  their  arms. 
Suddenly  a  gun  was  fired  from  the  Confederate  redoubt  near- 
est the  river,  and  then  another  and  another  followed  suit.  In 
a  few  minutes  the  batteries  opened  a  furious  fusillade,  and  the 
air  was  full  of  flying  shells.  It  was  a  magnificent  scene  ;  and  I 
forgot  my  danger  in  watching  the  flashes  of  the  guns  and  the 
flight  of  the  shells  as  they  rose  in  front,  and  fell  in  the  rear, 
their  blazing  fuses  betraying  their  passage.  Hour  after  hour 
this  fierce,  unexpected  cannonade  continued,  until  at  length 
the  mortar-shells  began  tumbling  into  our  parallels.  Captain 
Harding  stood  near  me  as  one  fell. 

"  Heavens !  But  this  is  getting  to  be  a  hot  place,  Wilmot. 
Tell  the  men  to  shelter  themselves  in  the  traverses." 

"  No  use,  sir.  They  are  all  too  much  excited  to  lie  still,"  I 
replied. 


TUEOWING  AWAY   THE  SCABBARD.  73 

"  I  don't  wonder  at  it :  I  feel  that  way  myself.  I  wish  we 
had  orders  to  reply." 

"  Faith,  an'  we'd  make  the  divil's  own  row  together,"  said 
Dennis,  who  was,  as  usual,  ready  to  take  part  in  any  conversa- 
tion near  him. 

But  we  never  used  the  guns  we  had  labored  so  long  to  get 
into  position ;  for,  as  the  day  broke,  two  or  three  negroes  came 
along  the  river-path,  and  announced  that  Yorktown  had  been 
evacuated.  This  changed  the  whole  condition  of  affairs,  for  the 
army  was  at  once  set  in  motion.  Before  noon,  long  columns  of 
infantry  were  pushing  forward,  being  far  in  the  advance  by 
nightfall. 

The  unhealthy  water  and  the  unusual  fatigue  had  at  length 
its  effect,  for  that  night  I  was  stricken  down  with  fever.  I 
remember  being  lifted  into  an  ambulance,  and  the  awful  jolt- 
ing of  the  vehicle  over  the  rough  road,  until  insensibility  dead- 
ened my  pain.  It  was  with  astonishment,  therefore,  that  I 
found  myself,  on  waking,  lying  on  a  rude  stretcher  in  the  dark. 
Trying  to  discover  my  whereabouts,  a  few  drops  of  water  fell 
on  my  face,  which  was  already  dripping  wet,  and  I  heard  rain 
pattering  on  a  roof  over  my  head. 

"  Where  am  I  ?  Help  !  Help ! "  I  shouted,  glad  to  find  my 
voice  quite  strong. 

A  light  glimmered  faintly  through  a  window,  and  I  saw  that 
1  was  lying  in  an  open  shed. 

"  Stop  that  noise.  What's  all  this  confounded  row  about?" 
said  a  voice  authoritatively. 

"  Shure,  it's  none  of  us,  at  all,  at  all.  It's  the  dead  man  out 
in  the  shed  beyant,"  replied  a  Celtic  voice. 

"  The  dead  man  ?     What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Why,  it's  the  sargeant  that  you  said  was  dead,  and  they've 
put  him  in  the  shed.  Troth,  he's  got  a  good  yell  of  his  own,  if 
he  is  dead." 

In  a  few  minutes  I  was  lifted  up,  carried  into  the  house,  and 
snugly  wrapped  in  blankets  on  a  bed  of  loose  hay. 


74 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


"Ton  my  word,  sergeant,  you've  had  a  narrow  squeak  of  it," 
said  the  surgeon. 

"  How  came  you  to  think  me  dead  ?  "  I  asked. 
"  Why,   there  was   every   indication   of  it.     That   dripping 
water  must  have  given  your  system  a  shock,  and  so  restored 
animation." 

"  How  lucky  the  roof  leaked !     Arrah !  who  ever  heard  that  a 
leaky  roof  was  good  to  bring  a  dead  man  back  to  life?"  said  the 
same  Irish  voice  I  had  heard  in  the  shed.     Looking  round,  I 
found  it  was  Dennis. 

Wondering  at  the  unexpected 

presence  of  my  Irish  comrade, 

who   seemed  always   near  me, 

and  devoutly  thanking  God  for 

■.   my   escape,   I  closed   my  eyes. 


THE    DEAD    SEKGKANT'S   YELL, 


and  fell  asleep  in  the  genial 
warmth  of  the  room.  When  I 
awoke  the  next  day,  I  found 
the  fever  gone  ;  but  it  had  left 
me  so  weak  I  could  not  rise. 
Seeing  Dennis  near  by,  I  asked 
how  he  came  to  be  in  hospital. 
"  An'  do  you  think  nobody  but  yersilf  has  a  right  to  be 
sick?  "  he  asked  indignantly.  "  Shure,  while  you  were  lyin'  in 
your  tint  on  the  cowld  wet  ground,  a-shakin'  wid  the  faver,  I 
felt  me  own  bones  beginning  to  ache ;  and  they  hadn't  taken 
you  away  long  before  I  tuk  sick  mesilf,  and  they  carried  m'e 
here.     And  that's  all  there's  about  it." 

"  Did  you  know  it  was  I  who  lay  out  there  in  the  shed, 
supposed  to  be  dead  ?  " 

"'Deed,  an'  I  didn't.     Faix,  if  I'd  'a'  known  it,  I'd  had  a 
wake  over  ye,  though  we'd  have  to  do  widout  the  whishky." 

"  But  I  heard  you  say  it  was  a  sergeant,"  I  persisted  with  the 
petulance  of  a  sick  man.     "  How  did  you  know  thaf? " 

"An'  listen  to  him!     As  if  there's  nobody  else  a  sergeant  but 


THROWING  AWAY   THE  SCABBARD.  75 

himself !  Oh  !  but  you're  proud  in  your  grand  sthripes.  Shure, 
they  tould  me  it  was  a  sergeant,"  said  Dennis,  coming  at  last 
to  the  point. 

"  Are  you  getting  well  ?  "  said  I,  amused  at  my  comrade's 
good-natured  loquacity. 

"  Yis  :  I'm  a  thrifle  better  now  that  I've  found  you  in  the  land 
of  the  livin',"  replied  Dennis  as  he  wrung  my  hand  and  left  me. 

J  lay  dozing  on  my  rude  bed  all  day,  being  at  length  roused 
into  wakefulness  by  the  unexpected  sight  of  a  woman's  face 
bending  over  mine. 

"  How  are  you  getting  on,  sergeant  ?  "  she  asked  in  a  soft, 
kind  voice. 

"  Much  stronger,  thank  you,  and  a  little  hungry,"  I  replied, 
wondering  who  ray  visitor  could  be. 

"  Come,  now,  that's  a  brave  sign.  Here  is  some  nice  soup : 
see  if  you  can  swallow  it ; "  and  the  tall  lady  held  a  spoon  to 
my  fevered  lips. 

The  soup  was  delicious,  and  I  hungrily  drank  all  there  was 
in  the  bowl. 

"  There,  you  will  do  famously  now.  But  you  must  lie  still, 
and  get  strength.     I'll  see  you  again  to-morrow." 

"Who  was  that,  Dennis?"  I  asked  when  my  visitor  had 
gone.     "  How  did  she  come  here  ?  " 

"  Faix,  she's  an  angel  dropped  from  the  sky,  —  that's  what 
she  is." 

"  But  who  is  she?  " 

"  Shure,  she's  the  daughter  of  our  old  gineral." 

"  Daughter  of  our  general !  what  general  ?  " 

"Why,  ould  Shoot-him-on-the-shpot  Dix,  that  we  left  behind 
us  in  Baltimore." 

"  Oh,  I  understand !  It's  Miss  Dorothea  Dix.  I've  heard 
of  her  labors  in  the  Washington  hospitals.  But  she  is  not  Gen- 
eral Dix's  daughter,  Dennis." 

"  Well,  if  she  isn't,  she  ought  to  be ;  and  her  father  ought  to 
be  a  gineral  for  her  sake." 


76  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  So,"  said  I  musingly,  "  we  have  an  American  Nightingale, 
have  we  ? " 

"I  say.  Master  Frank,  the  faver's  getting  into  yer  head  again. 
Shure,  there's  no  nightingales  in  Ameriky,"  replied  Dennis 
compassionately. 

"  Confound  it,  man !  I  was  not  talking  about  a  bird,  but  a 
woman.     Did  you  never  hear  of  Florence  Nightingale  ?  " 

"  Divil  a  word :  who  was  she  ?  " 

"  Why,  during  the  Crimean  war  she  went  out  with  a  corps 
of  nurses  for  the  English  hospitals  in  the  field." 

"  Well,  sargeant,  this  is  a  quare  world,  to  call  a  bird  and  a 
woman  by  the  same  name.  But  never  mind,  Frank  darlin', 
whether  they  be  Nightingales  or  Dixes,  the  women  are  always 
to  the  fore,  God  bless  'em ! "  said  Dennis  in  a  husky  voice,  his 
honest  blue  eyes  meanwhile  filling  with  tears. 


BANDAGE  AND  LINT.  77 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

BANDAGE   AND   LINT. 

.  .  .  "And  everywhere 
Low  voices  with  the  ministering  hand 
Hung  round  the  sick." 

YoKKTOWN,  "Va.,  May  16,  1862. 
OTICE.  — Every  man  who  is  ready  and  anxious  to 
join  liis  regiment  at  the  front  will  report  forthwith 
at  the  office  of  the  medical  director. 

GEOFFREY  WILLIS, 
Lieut.-Colonel  and  Medical  Director. 

Such  was  the  qxieerly  worded  notice  I  found 
';i   posted  upon  the  door  of  our  hospital  early  one 
morning.    I  had  already  regained  my  strength, 
thanks  to  the  care  of  my  doctors  and  a  tol- 
.'av-.^j;^  erably  strong  constitution.    I  found  Yorktown 

greatly  changed ;  for  the  town  had  become  an 
immense  storehouse  for  supplies,  and  the  narrow,  dusty  streets 
were  choked  with  wagons.  Troops  still  continued  to  press 
forward,  while  steamers  carried  other  detachments  up  the 
Pamunkey  River  towards  the  White  House.  The  battle  of 
Williamsburg  had  been  fought,  followed  by  a  few  unimportant 
skirmishes,  so  it  was  evident  that  a  decisive  engagement  would 
soon  occur. 

This  aspect  of  affairs  made  me  anxious  to  rejoin  my  regiment, 
for  hospital  life  was  irksome  in  the  extreme.  The  bulletin  of 
our  medical  director  was,  however,  so  odd  in  its  phraseology 


To  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

that  I  half  suspected  a  joke ;  for  I  knew  there  were  many  men 
who  would  cling  to  the  easy  life  in  hospital  until  they  were 
fairly  turned  out.  However,  I  decided  to  report  for  duty. 
Announcing  my  intention  to  Dennis,  I  was  glad  to  find  him  as 
eager  to  join  our  comrades  as  myself.  Our  house  surgeon 
smiled  on  being  told  of  our  desire  to  report,  and  told  us  to 
equip  ourselves  from  the  accumulated  stock  of  rifles  and  mus- 
kets lying  in  an  out-house.  Selecting  two  breech-loading  guns 
and  sufficient  ammunition,  Dennis  and  I  presented  ourselves  at 


KEPOKTING  TO  THE  SURGEON. 


the  medical  director's  office.  There  were  present  on  the  same 
errand  some  twenty  or  thirty  other  men,  all  fully  equipped  for 
service. 

"So  you  men  are  anxious  to  go  to  the  front,"  said  the  direct- 
or, smiling  over  his  spectacles  in  an  odd  manner,  as  he  stood 
surveying  our  little  group. 

Nearly  all  of  the  men  nodded ;  and,  seeing  that  I  was  the  only 
sergeant  present,  I  assumed  the  office  of  spokesman. 

"  We  have  simply  obeyed  your  order,  doctor.       I,  for  one. 


BANDAGE  AND  LINT.  79 

would  like  to  join  my  regiment  very  much.  I  presume  the  rest 
are  of  the  same  mind." 

"  I'm  glad  of  it.  Now,  sergeant,  you  just  see  that  all  the 
men  are  in  good  shape  for  service ;  then  form  your  squad." 

The  task  of  inspection  was  soon  over ;  and,  there  being  three 
or  four  corporals,  I  organized  a  little  company.  It  was  then 
quite  late  in  the  afternoon ;  so  the  surgeon  put  on  his  cap,  and 
led  the  way  to  the  wharf.  Arriving  there,  I  was  ordered  to 
post  sentries,  and  see  that  no  one  went  on  board  the  steamer 
without  a  pass. 

"  I'm  going  to  send  away  some  sick  and  wounded,"  remarked 
the  surgeon  ;  "  and,  after  we  get  the  steamer  loaded,  I'll  send 
you  to  the  front." 

Wondering  why  the  medical  director  had  not  taken  a  guard 
from  the  regular  garrison,  I  established  the  necessary  line  of 
sentinels,  content  with  the  fact  that  it  was  active  duty  once 
more.  The  embarkation  of  the  sick  was  a  tedious  one,  and  it 
was  midnight  before  the  surgeon  in  charge  of  the  steamer 
announced  that  he  could  take  no  more.  When  he  did  report 
the  fact,  our  little  medical  director  stopped  the  line  of  stretch- 
ers, and  turning  to  me  said,  — 

"Now,  sergeant,  march  your  guard  on  board.  You  see,  I 
wanted  a  few  steady,  willing  fellows :  that  was  why  I  put 
up  such  a  polite  note.  You  are  going  to  Washington  instead 
of  the  front ; "  and  he  laughed  heartily  at  the  success  of  his 
stratagem. 

My  men  were  delighted  at  the  unexpected  change  in  our  des- 
tination, and  went  on  board  the  steamer  in  high  feather.  We 
subsequently  learned  that  on  the  following  day  every  able- 
bodied  man  in  the  hospitals  was  suddenly  drafted  on  board  a 
transport,  and  sent  to  the  army :  so  we  lost  nothing  by  our 
promptness  in  reporting  for  duty. 

The  passage  up  the  River  Potomac  was  an  enjoyable  one, 
despite  the  suffering  by  which  I  was  surrounded.  As  I  was 
sitting  in  the  stern,  Avatching  the  immense  flocks  of  wild  ducks 


80  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

gathering  in  the  stretches  of  reeds  preparatory  to  their  migra- 
tion northward,  Dennis  appeared,  his  face  beaming  with  fun. 

"  I  say,  sergeant,  what  a  lot  of  sarviuts  that  officer  has,  to  be 
shure ! " 

" Servants?     I  do  not  understand  you." 

"  Shure,  isn't  there  only  wan  officer  aboard  ?  " 

"Yes,  only  one.     But  what  of  that?  " 

"  Why,  there's  a  lot  of  skulkers  aboard,  and  ivery  mother's 
son  of  "em  sez  he's  the  captain's  sarvint." 

"  Oh  !  we'll  soon  fix  that,"  said  I.  Going  to  the  guard-room 
between  decks,  I  called  out  the  reserve,  and  arrested  sixteen 
men  who  were  not  on  the  doctor's  books.  How  they  got  on 
the  steamer  was  a  mystery.  On  our  arrival  at  Washington,  I 
reported  the  fact  to  the  surgeon  who  received  the  patients,  and- 
was  instructed  to  march  them  to  the  provost-marshal's  office. 
There  the  prisoners  were  welcomed  with  cutting  politeness,  I 
and  my  guard  being  granted  passes  until  the  steamer  was  ready 
to  return. 

As  Dennis  and  I  wandered  down  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  he 
suggested  a  barber;  saying  that  his  chin  felt  as  rough  as  a  stub- 
ble-field in  harvest-time.  We  accordingly  walked  into  the 
nearest  saloon,  finding  it  occupied  by  several  officers.  Taking 
a  vacant  chair,  I  was  soon  in  the  hands  of  an  attendant. 

"Just  from  the  front?"  inquired  an  elderly  officer  reclining 
in  an  adjoining  chair,  the  napkins  on  his  shoulders  concealing 
his  rank. 

"  Yes,  sir :  we  came  up  on  the  hospital-boat  this  morning." 

"  One  of  the  Sanitary  Commission  steamers,  I  suppose  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  — '  The  Elm  City.'  " 

"  Well,  and  how  are  affairs  getting  on  there  ?  "  continued  my 
interlocutor. 

"  Pretty  well,  sir,  I  believe.  When  we  left  Yorktown  it  was 
imderstood  the  advance  was  making  rapid  progess." 

"  I'm  glad  to  hear  it,"  replied  the  officer,  rising,  and  disclos- 
ing the  double  stars  of  a  major-general.    "  Good-day,  sergeant." 


BANDAGE  AND  LINT. 


81 


"  Who  is  that  general  ?  "  I  asked  my  sable  barber. 

"  Dat  gebbelman,  sah,  be  Giniral  Wadsworth,  de  gubernor- 
giniral,  sah,  of  dis  yeah  city,"  was  his  response. 

Entering  the  street  again,  Ave  sauntered  along  the  avenue, 
and  at  Dennis's  suggestion  entered  Willard's  Hotel,  where  I 
had  stopped  while  on  my  way  home  from  the  valley. 

"  We  can't  sell  any  thing  to  soldiers,"  said  the  barkeeper, 
evidently  as- 
tonished a  t 
our  igno- 
rance of  the 
regulations  ; 
a  group  of 
officers  at  the 
counter  join- 
ing in  his 
stare  at  my 
demand. 

"  Not  sell 
to  soldiers  I " 
I  exclaimed: 
"  why,  you 
are  selling  to 
these,"   pointing  to   the    officers. 

"  Oh  !  them's  officers,  not  soldiers,"  he  replied. 

"Begorra,  Frank,  but  he's  roight.  They  don't  look  as 
though  they  ever  saw  a  picket-skarmish,  let  alone  a  rigilar 
scrimmage,"  remarked  Dennis  with  a  merry  laugh. 

In  the  lobby  we  encountered  General  Wadsworth,  who  shook 
his  head  good-humoredly  on  seeing  us  leaving  the  bar- 
room. 

"Well,  boys,  how  are  you  enjoying  yourselves?  Been  after 
something  to  drink,  I  suppose." 

"  Yes,  general :  we  asked  for  some  ale ;  but  as  we  are  only 
enlisted  men,  and  do  not  sport  shoulder-straps,  we  have  been 


WE   CAN  T  SELL  TO   SOLDIERS. 


82  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

refused,  though  there's  half  a  dozen  officers  in  there  already 
half  tipsy." 

"  Well,  well,  they  won't  refuse  me,  so  come  along,"  said  the 
old  general  in  a  genial  way. 

"  A  bottle  of  champagne  and  some  glasses,"  said  he  to  the 
barkeeper,  ignoring  the  salutes  made  him  by  the  officers.  "Now, 
boys,  here's  to  General  McClellan  and  his  army.  You'll  like 
that  toast." 

"  Couldn't  have  a  better  one,  giniral,  if  you  tried  for  a  week," 
cried  Dennis  enthusiastically,  as  he  drained  his  glass. 

"  Now,  sergeant,  I'll  bid  you  good-day.  Good  luck  to  you 
both,"  said  the  general ;  and  we  finished  the  bottle. 

When  the  military  governor  left  us  we  were  soon  surrounded 
by  the  officers,  and  they  began  pressing  Dennis  and  myself  to 
join  them  in  more  drinking.  My  comrade  was  nothing  loth 
to  do  so,  and  I  had  some  difficulty  in  getting  him  safely  away. 

In  due  time  we  re-embarked ;  the  steamer  being  ordered  to 
proceed  at  once  to  the  White  House,  on  the  Pamunkey  River, 
the  new  base  of  supplies  for  the  army.  On  our  arrival  I  pro- 
ceeded to  the  office  of  the  medical  director,  delivered  my  papers, 
and  reported  myself  and  guard. 

"H'm,  so  you  came  on  'The  Elm  City'?"  remarked  the  sur- 
geon, whose  lieutenant-colonel's  strap  indicated  that  he  was  a 
regular-army  officer. 

"  Yes,  sir,  just  arrived ;  and  I'm  anxious  to  rejoin  my  regi- 
ment as  soon  as  possible." 

"You  can  serve  the  government,  sergeant,  as  well  on  the 
steamer  as  with  your  regiment,"  said  the  old  surgeon  rather 
gruffly. 

"  Perhaps  so,  colonel ;  but  I  would  prefer  the  latter,"  was  my 
respectful  reply. 

"  You  are  highly  recommended  here  for  hosj^ital  duty,  and  so 
are  your  men.  It  is  not  often  such  a  compliment  is  ]Daid  to 
hospital  guards.  A  soldier  must  always  do  as  he  is  bid.  You 
will  have  to  remain  on  the  steamer." 


BANDAGE  AND  LINT.  83 

"•  Very  well,  colonel.  If  I  must,  I  must ;  but  my  comrades 
in  the  field  will  consider  me  a  skulker." 

"•  Never  mind  what  they  think.  Do  your  duty  wherever  you 
find  it,"  said  the  director  more  kindly. 

"  All  right,  sir :  I  always  obey  orders." 

"■  That's  right :  spoken  like  a  man.  Now,  sergeant,  you  are 
made  an  acting  lieutenant :  so  put  aside  your  rifle  for  the  pres- 
ent, and  get  a  sword  from  that  heap  over  there.  You  are  in 
military  command  of  the  steamer,  and  I  shall  hold  you  respon- 
sible for  the  maintenance  of  good  order  and  discipline  on 
board." 

I  saluted  in  silence,  selected  my  saber,  and  returned  to  the 
steamer,  finding  it  rapidly  filling  up  with  wounded  men  from 
the  picket-lines.  While  superintending  the  reception  of  the 
remainder,  the  crusty  old  medical  director  appeared  on  the 
temporary  wharf,  and  called  me  aside. 

.  "  Now,  I  want  you  to  pay  particular  attention  to  what  I'm 
going  to  say,"  he  began.  "The  surgeon  detailed  to  your 
steamer  is  a  civilian  fresh  from  private  practice,  and  there  are 
also  on  board  a  lot  of  reckless  hospital  students.  I  know  very 
well  that  as  soon  as  you  are  fairly  down  the  river,  this  contract 
surgeon  and  his  helpers  will  be  itching  to  operate  on  some  poor 
devil  in  their  hands.  Now,  the  War  Department  has  very  wisely 
established  a  rule  that  no  wounded  man  is  to  have  even  a  fin- 
ger cut  off  unless  he  gives  his  own  free  consent ;  or  unless  mor- 
tification has  set  in,  when  of  course  it  must  be  done  to  save  his 
life.  I  want  this  rule  enforced.  Do  you  understand?"  and 
the  old  officer's  eyes  twinkled  merrily  as  he  laid  a  hand  on 
my  shoulder. 

"  Perfectly,  colonel.  If  they  make  any  fuss,  or  resist  my 
authority,  I'll  clap  them  under  arrest,"  I  replied,  laughing  at 
the  fun  in  prospect. 

"  Capital !  You'll  do  !  "  exclaimed  the  old  gentleman,  turn- 
ing on  his  heel,  and  marching  off  with  a  sturdy  step,  every  inch 
of  him  a  soldier. 


84  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

The  complement  of  wounded  having  come  on  board,  we 
dropped  down  the  stream  soon  after  sunset.  About  ten  o'clock 
one  of  my  corporals  reported  that  the  doctor  was  insisting  on 
cutting  off  a  patient's  hand,  despite  the  man's  protests.  Sur- 
prised to  find  the  director's  warning  so  soon  verified,  I  hastened 
to  the  spot. 

Entering  the  ward  between  decks,  a  singular  scene  met  my 
eyes.  There  were  over  two  hundred  pallets  in  the  ward,  which 
was  dimly  lighted  with  common  ship-lanterns.  Near  me  I 
could  see  many  of  the  wounded  men  sitting  up  in  the  uncertain 
light,  excited  by  the  piteous  cries  of  a  poor  fellow  in  the  cen- 
ter, who  was  surrounded  by  a  group  of  men  in  citizens'  dress ; 
two  extra  lanterns  among  them  shedding  a  glow  of  light  around 
the  bed.     Bounding  forward,  I  exclaimed,  — 

"  What  are  you  doing  ?     What  is  all  this  about  ?  " 

"  Oh !  nothing  much,"  replied  the  surgeon  coolly,  turning 
over  the  instruments  in  his  case :  "  we're  only  going  to  cut  off 
this  man's  hand,  and  he  naturally  dreads  the  operation." 

"  Have  you  asked  his  consent  ?  "  said  I. 

"  No,  they  didn't,  sergeant ;  and  I  don't  want  it  cut  off  just 
yet,"  cried  the  wounded  man,  looking  piteously  into  my  face. 

"Don't  you  know  that  amputations  can  not  be  performed 
unless  the  patient  consents,  or  mortification  sets  in  ?  "  I  asked 
the  surgeon. 

"  Oh !  what's  the  use  of  all  this  bother  ?  He  don't  know 
what's  good  for  him.  It  won't  take  us  long.  Give  him  the 
chloroform,  Mr.  Meredith,"  replied  Doctor  Cole. 

"  You'll  not  cut  off  a  leg,  or  an  arm,  or  a  hand,  on  this  boat, 
unless  you  get  the  patient's  consent.  We  shall  be  at  Fortress 
Monroe  to-morrow." 

"  Why,  you  have  no  right  to  interfere.  I  am  the  surgeon  in 
charge." 

"  We  shall  see,  sir." 

"  Oh,  indeed  !  "  said  the  surgeon  sarcastically. 

"  Corporal  Harrison,  bring  a  couple  of  men  here,"  said  I ; 


BANDAGE  AND  LINT. 


85 


and  then  turning  to  the  surgeon,  continued,  "  Doctor  Cole,  I 
simply  obey  my  orders.  I  am  going  to  place  a  special  sentinel 
over  this  man  ;  and  the  first  person  who  touches  him,  except  to 
dress  his  wound,  shall  be  locked  up  and  kept  in  confinement 
until  we  reach  the  fort.  —  Corporal,  see  that  these  orders  are 
carried  out." 

This  settled  the  dispute,  and  I  shall  never  forget  the  look  of 
gratitude  the  patient  gave  me  for  my  interference.  I  subse- 
quently learned  that  his  hand  was  saved  by  careful  treatment, 


A   SUKGICAL   OPERATION   FKUSTRATED. 


though  he  was  of  course  unfit  for  military  dut}'.  On  our  way 
down  the  river,  Doctor  Cole  and  his  assistants  met  me  with 
black  and  threatening  looks,  until  Dennis  became  frightened ; 
he  of  course  being  ignorant  of  my  instructions. 

"  I'm  afraid.  Master  Frank,  thim  hospital  divils  will  be  afther 
making  throuble  for  ye  whin  we  get  to  the  fort,"  said  he,  as 
our  steamer  forged  ahead  on  entering  the  broad,  clear  waters 
of  the  York  River. 

"  Don't  be  alarmed.     I  know  my  orders,  Dennis." 


So  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

"•  By  the  widder  Finnigan's  black  cat,  but  I'm  glad  to  hear 
that !  Shure,  the  byes  were  all  worrying  at  thinking  that  that 
raiirdhering  ould  doctor  wud  get  the  best  of  ye." 

The  next  morning  we  dropped  anchor  in  the  Roads,  the  pilot 
going  ashore  in  a  boat  to  report.  Doctor  Cole  asked  leave  to 
accompany  him.  On  arriving  at  the  dock,  both  proceeded  to 
the  office  of  the  medical  director,  who  also  happened  to  be  a 
regular  officer. 

"  I  wish  to  make  a  grave  and  serious  complaint  against  the 
sergeant  who  commands  the  guard  on  board  my  steamer,"  be- 
gan the  doctor  pompously. 

"Your  steamer?  Pray,  which  one  is  it?"  inquired  the 
director  quietly. 

"  '  The  Elm  City.'     We  have  only  just  arrived." 

"  Oh !  '  The  Elm  City.'  Why,  I  thought  that  steamer  be- 
longed to  the  government,"  replied  the  director. 

"  Y-y-es,  I  know.  But  I'm  the  surgeon  in  charge,"  explained 
Doctor  Cole  confusedly. 

"Well,  what  is  this  complaint  of  yours?" 

"  He  interfered,  and  prevented  my  performing  an  interesting 
operation ;  and  he  threatened  to  lock  me  up  if  I  persisted." 

"  An  operation  ?     What  sort  of  operation  ?  " 

"  Why,  a  hand.     There  were  two  fingers  badly  shattered." 

"  And  the  sergeant  interfered,  did  he  ?  " 

"  Yes,  he  did  ;  and  was  very  impudent  about  it  too." 

"Did  you  ask  the  patient's  consent?" 

"  N-no.  There  was  no  occasion.  How  did  he  know  what 
was  necessary?" 

"  And  so,  sir,  you  came  here  to  complain  of  the  sergeant. 
Confound  you,  sir !  he  obeyed  his  orders,  which  is  more  than 
5^ou  seem  to  do.  What  the  devil  do  you  mean  by  leaving  your 
patients  without  permission  ?  "  thundered  the  irate  director,  star- 
ing the  dumbfounded  contract  surgeon  square  in  the  face. 

"  I  sup-p-posed  it  was  all  right,"  stammered  the  doctor,  be- 
wildered by  the  unexpected  change  in  affairs. 


BANDAGE  AND  LINT.  87 

"  Just  like  you  civilians.  Now,  sir,  get  back  to  the  steamer 
as  fast  as  you  can,  for  she's  coming  up  to  the  dock  in  a  few 
moments." 

I  wondered  at  the  changed  demeanor  of  Doctor  Cole  on  his 
return,  and  only  learned  the  cause  when  our  pilot  narrated  the 
colloquy  between  him  and  the  director.  The  latter  laughed 
heartily  over  my  version  of  the  incident,  and  seemed  to  relish 
the  grim  humor  of  his  White-House  colleague.  Annoyed  at 
his  defeat,  Doctor  Cole  requested  to  be  transferred  to  Washing- 
ton. The  new  surgeon  was  a  far  different  man  ;  and  while  I  re- 
mained in  the  Sanitary  Commission  fleet,  I  had  no  occasion  to 
again  interfere  in  behalf  of  the  mutilated  victims  of  war. 

On  our  return  up  the  river  we  were  joined  by  a  party  of 
ladies  who  had  volunteered  to  serve  on  board  the  boats,  and 
our  next  trip  was  to  Baltimore.  The  wounded  men  were  all 
desperately  hurt,  and  several  operations  were  really  necessary. 
One  poor  fellow  made  up  his  mind  to  lose  his  arm,  and  sub- 
mitted quietly  to  the  chloroform  sponge.  As  it  was  evening, 
one  of  the  young  ladies  undertook  to  hold  a  candle  for  the 
surgeon.  Passing  the  ward  on  one  of  my  rounds,  I  was  struck 
by  the  picture.  The  still  form  of  the  man  undergoing  amputa- 
tion, as  it  lay  stretched  on  the  table  ;  the  cool,  methodical  sur- 
geon, as  he  stood,  knife  in  hand,  rapidly  cutting  the  living, 
quivering  flesh ;  the  silent  assistant,  holding  severed  arteries 
with  bloody  but  steady  fingers ;  the  steward  with  basin  and 
sponge,  busily  mopping  up  the  red  life-stream  as  it  flowed  from 
the  gleaming  knife,  —  all  these  features  made  a  group  Rem- 
brandtish  in  its  lights  and  shadoAvs ;  while  in  front  of  the  sur- 
geon knelt  the  fair-haired  girl,  watching  with  blanched  cheek 
and  dilated  eyes  the  horrible  butchery  in  progress  before  her. 
As  I  approached,  the  tired  surgeon  dropped  his  instruments 
with  a  sigh  of  professional  satisfaction,  an  announcement  that 
the  operation  was  complete.  Then  for  the  first  time  the  candle 
tottered ;  and  as  it  fell  from  the  girl's  fingers  she  quietly  fainted, 
lying  in  a  confused  heap  on  the  cabin-floor.     Bravely  had  she 


88  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

kept  up  her  courage  so  long  as  there  was  any  necessity  for  it ; 
but  the  moment  the  tension  was  relaxed  her  womanly  nature 
asserted  itself,  her  physical  strength  departed. 

Many  a  sad  scene  was  witnessed  on  the  steamer  during  our 
frequent  trips.  A  big,  strong  man  was  brought  on  board  one 
day  with  a  bullet  buried  in  his  skull.  He  kept  talking  con- 
tinually in  his  delirium,  fighting  his  battle  over  and  over  again. 
From  his  reiterated  words  we  gained  a  clear  idea  of  the  scene 
in  which  he  had  been  an  actor.  The  charge  of  the  brigade 
upon  the  guns,  the  brief  hand-to-hand  conflict,  the  struggle  for 
a  cannon,  all  were  depicted  in  feverish  language.  At  last  the 
bullet  completed  its  fatal  work  ;  and  death  mercifully  relieved 
the  soldier  of  his  sufferings,  as  our  steamer  was  tossed  by  the 
wild  waters  of  Chesapeake  Bay. 

This  hospital  duty  became  at  length  insupportable  because  of 
its  monotony,  and  I  longed  to  escape  from  it.  The  opportu- 
nity came  at  last.  We  had  just  returned  to  the  base  of  opera- 
tions, and  I  was  strolling  idly  through  the  canvas  town  erected 
by  the  sutlers,  when  I  unexpectedly  encountered  my  colonel. 

"  What  are  you  doing  here,  Wilmot  ?  Where  have  you  been 
all  this  time  ?  "  he  asked. 

I  hurriedly  explained  my  sphere  of  dutj'-,  adding  that  I  was 
anxious  to  abandon  it. 

"  Why  didn't  you  come  up  to  the  front  ?  There  were  plenty 
of  trains.'" 

"I  thought  of  doing  so  once,  but  found  a  pass  was  necessary, 
even  to  go  to  the  army." 

"  Confound  this  red  tape !  ''  muttered  Colonel  Fletcher. 
"If  you  are  really  anxious,  sergeant,  to  join  the  regiment, 
come  with  me  :  they  won't  deny  a  colonel." 

"But  how  can  I  leave  my  post?  The  medical  director  ti'usts 
me  implicitly :  I  would  not  like  to  lose  his  good  opinion," 
said  I. 

"  Oh !  I'll  manage  that.  I  will  write  to  the  confounded 
doctor,  and  explain  every  thing,"  replied  the  colonel. 


BANDAGE  AND  LINT.  «y 

"  All  right,  sir.  I'll  meet  you  here  on  the  platform  in  half 
an  hour,  and  bring  another  of  our  men  with  me." 

"  Do  so :  you'll  not  regret  it,"  said  he,  evidently  pleased  with 
my  decision. 

Returning  to  the  steamer,  and  telling  Dennis  to  get  our  rifles 
and  knapsacks,  we  abandoned  the  old  "  Elm  City,"  and  never 
saw  her  again  while  in  the  field.  That  night  I  was  once  more 
among  my  comrades,  who  had  wondered  what  had  become  of 
me.  But  the  regiment  was  sadly  changed:  many  a  familiar 
face  was  missing;  and  the  ranks  were  growing  slender,  for 
the  death-roll  was  already  a  long  one.  The  men's  faces  Avere 
bronzed  by  constant  exposure,  their  bright  zouave  uniforms 
faded  and  torn.  The  morale  of  the  regiment  was,  however,  as 
high  as  ever :  it  was  one  to  be  proud  of. 


90 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


A   SAVAGE  BOUT. 


'  Twice  hath  the  sun  upon  this  conflict  set, 
And  risen  again,  and  found  them  grappling  yet." 

.  cCLELLAN'S  position  had  now  become  one  of 
extreme  peril.  His  attempt  to  push  forward 
towards  the  city  of  Richmond,  by  throwing 
a  part  of  his  force  across  the  Chickahomiuy 
River,  had  been  promptly  met  by  the  Con- 
federate leader;  the  result  being  the  disas- 
trous battle  of  Fair  Oaks.  Our  general  now 
found  himself  straddling  a  marshy  stream, 
with  no  good  line  of  communication  between 

^^-^i;'^-  ■-■'  the  divided  wings  of  his  army.     Massed  amid 

an  extensive  series  of  pestilential  pools  and 
marshes,  the  large  force  still  under  his  control 
was  wholly  unable  to  move  with  that  celerity  and  precision  so 
necessary  for  the  accomplishment  of  great  results  ,  while  the 
health  of  the  entire  command  was  seriously  impaired  by  its 
long  sojourn  in  the  malarious  district.  Having  advanced  so 
far  from  his  base  of  supplies,  McClellan  was  compelled  to  use 
much  of  his  right  wing  to  protect  his  communications:  the 
result  being,  that  the  main  body  was  sensibly  shorn  of  its 
strength  and  effective  power.  The  wretched  condition  of  the 
roads  prevented  rapid  movement  of  artillery  ,  and  we  were  in 
no  position  to  assume  the  offensive,  or  even  maintain  a  successful 
defensive  line.  The  momentum  of  our  advance  up  the  penin- 
sula had  been  lost ;  and  we  felt  that  the  army  had  been  placed 


A    SAVAGE  BOUT.  91 

in  a  false  position  in  a  tactical  sense.  Still  the  army  had  faith 
in  its  general,  and  obeyed  every  command  with  a  heroism, 
which,  nnder  more  favorable  circumstances,  would  have  secured 
victory  and  renown  for  both. 

Such  was  the  attitude  when  I  resumed  my  duties  in  the 
regiment.  McClellan's  left  rested  upon  a  morass  filled  with 
white  oaks,  while  his  right  occupied  some  eminences  on  either 
bank  of  the  Chickahominy.  Though  our  left  was  within  a  few 
miles  of  the  James  River,  neither  it  nor  the  Pamunkey  afforded 
any  protection  to  our  flanks.  Out  of  the  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  men  that  had  composed  the  army  at  Yorktown,  fully 
thirty-five  thousand  had  been  lost  by  bullet  or  disease. 

My  regiment  formed  part  of  the  right  wing  under  Fitz  John 
Porter,  and  lay  near  Savage's  Station.  The  days  and  nights 
passed  quietly  enough ,  and  I  enjoyed  the  change  of  scene  and 
duty,  for  this  was  soldierly  work.  True,  Dennis  and  I  missed 
the  nicer  food  of  the  hospital  steamer,  and  my  comrade  often 
grumbled  over  his  hard-tack  and  coffee  when  he  thought  of  the 
flesh-pots  he  had  foi'saken ,  but  we  were  otherwise  contented, 
for  both  had  felt  out  of  place  away  from  the  regiment.  Besides, 
we  knew  that  we  should  soon  have  plenty  of  warm  work  on 
our  hands. 

On  the  afternoon  of  June  26  the  camps  were  startled  by  a 
sudden  roll  of  musketry  along  our  picket-line ;  and  the  cry, 
"We  are  attacked!  "  ran  through  the  tents  as  our  bugles  sounded 
the  assembl3^  As  I  took  my  place  behind  my  company,  a  ter- 
rific burst  of  artillery  and  musket  firing  broke  out  towards  the 
ravine  called  Beaver's  Dam  ;  and  we  knew  that  McCall's  troops 
were  being  savagely  engaged.  The  attacking  force  was  evi- 
dently a  strong  one,  for  the  fusillade  of  small  arms  increased 
in  volume  and  intensity  every  moment ;  and  our  artillery  now 
began  pouring  in  a  deadly  fire  of  shell  and  solid  shot.  As  we 
moved  up  into  position,  I  could  see  Sykes's  regulars  pushing 
forward  through  a  hollow  ;  and,  by  the  time  we  had  entered  the 
edge   of  a  field  of  growing  wheat,  they  were  forming  under 


92  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

the  shelter  of  some  woods  to  tlie  right.  Our  pickets  were 
already  busy,  and  it  seemed  quite  certain  that  Ave  would  soon 
receive  our  share  of  the  assault. 

"  Close  up,  men  !  close  up  !  "  shouted  Colonel  Fletcher,  "  and 
stand  steady !  " 

There  was  no  need  of  the  caution,  for  every  man  knew  the 
importance  of  presenting  an  unbroken  front.  Just  then  three 
or  four  regiments  came  up  from  the  left  to  take  ground  on  our 
right.  As  they  passed  in  our  rear,  evidently  a  little  shaken 
by  the  terrific  volleys  they  were  apparently  approaching,  our 
colonel  indulged  in  a  grim  bit  of  humor. 

"  Attention,  battalion  !  "  he  shouted.     "  Parade  rest  I  " 

The  order  was  promptly  obeyed ;  though  the  men  laughed  to 
see  the  regiment  thus  put  through  holiday  maneuvers  in  sight 
of  the  enemy,  with  a  column  of  troops  so  disordered  behind  us. 
Our  colonel's  coolness,  however,  had  its  intended  effect ;  for  the 
moving  column  stiffened  up,  and  passed  on  in  excellent  shape 
to  the  position  assigned  it. 

But  I  had  no  time  for  further  observation  of  its  movements  ; 
for  at  that  instant  the  regulars  opened  a  fierce  volley,  and  we 
began  to  see  the  head  of  the  attacking  force  as  it  entered  the 
opposite  side  of  the  wheat-field.  Like  a  swarm  of  angry  bees, 
the  Confederates  poured  out  of  the  woods,  and  engaged  the 
regulars,  who  soon  found  themselves  outnumbered.  They 
•stubbornly  held  to  their  ground,  however,  until  a  battery 
galloped  up,  and,  rapidly  unlimbering,  opened  on  Sykes's  line 
with  solid  shot. 

Here  came  our  colonel's  opportunity.  As  yet  we  had  not 
fired  a  bullet;  and,  though  the  men  no  longer  stood  at  their 
absurd  parade  rest,  the  line  was  as  steady  as  if  on  review.  The 
Confederate  battery  was  firing  obliquely  across  the  wheat- 
field,  and  their  balls  were  flying  away  from  us.  Dismounting, 
Colonel  Fletcher  waved  his  hat  over  his  head,  shouting,  — 

"  Forward  !  double  quick  !  " 

We  saw  what  was  intended,  and  with  a  cheer  every  man 


A    SAVAGE  BOUT. 


93 


sprang  forward  on  the  run.  The  battery  was  scarcely  six 
hundred  yards  away ;  and,  as  we  dashed  through  the  standing 
grain,  the  left  gun  was  suddenly  Avheeled  about  for  the  purpose 
of  giving  us  a  round  of  grape.  As  the  gunner  withdrew  his 
ramrod,  and  stepped  back  to  his  position  by  the  wheel,  our 
colonel  yelled  out  an  order  to  lie  down,  at  the  same  moment 
throwing  himself  flat  upon  the  ground.  We  followed  his 
example  by  instinct,  and  the  next  instant  the  air  above  us 
was  full  of  whistling  missiles.     Scarcely  had  the  report  of  the 


CAPTURING   A  GUN, — GAINES'S   MILL. 


gun  thundered  in  our  ears  when  I  saw  our  colors  rise  from 
among  the  wheat-stalks ;  then  the  regiment  resumed  its  head- 
long career. 

Before  the  piece  could  be  reloaded,  we  were  among  the  gun- 
ners, and  had  it  in  our  possession.  Our  fellows  having  been 
instructed  in  the  use  of  artillery,  several  of  them  seized  the  gun, 
and  slinging  it  round  sent  a  charge  of  grape  into  the  body  of 
Confederate  infantry  coming  up  to  support  their  battery.  A 
deadly  volley  of  musketry  was  their  reply,  and  I  saw  men  fall- 


94:  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

ing  all  around  me ;  Captain  Parton,  who  had  commanded  the 
company  on  the  right  of  ours,  lying  dead  almost  under  my  feet, 
while  the  lieutenant-colonel  had  been  carried  to  the  rear  badly 
hurt.  We  were  for  the  moment  in  a  perilous  position  ;  but  our 
wild  dash  had  disconcerted  the  battery,  and  checked  its  fire, 
thus  enabling  the  regulars  to  advance,  which  they  soon  did  in 
splendid  order. 

The  piece  we  had  captured  had  been  overturned  in  the  con- 
fusion, and  I  could  see  that  our  right  wing  was  fighting  des- 
perately at  close  quarters  for  the  one  next  to  it.  On  seeing  the 
regulars  coming  up  in  one  direction,  and  the  remainder  of  our 
brigade  in  the  other,  the  battery  commander  limbered  up  his 
four  remaining  guns,  and  galloped  off  to  the  rear,  leaving  his 
right  section  in  our  hands. 

Our  reinforcements  did  not  arrive  a  moment  too  soon,  how- 
ever ;  for,  as  the  battery  disappeared,  a  strong  force  of  infantry 
advanced.  Coming  up  as  they  did  in  the  corner  of  the  field, 
the  Confederates  found  themselves  confronted  by  a  cross-fire. 
Being  unable  to  stand  before  it,  they,  too,  fell  back  into  the 
woods.  The  regulars  immediately  pushed  on,  and  covered  our 
shattered  and  disordered  ranks.  The  charge  cost  us  fully  one- 
fifth  of  our  number ;  but  it  won  for  the  regiment  a  fame  which 
was  some  recompense  to  the  survivors,  while  our  colonel  gained 
a  brigadier's  star  for  the  action. 

But  the  battle  was  not  yet  over;  for  as  we  fell  back  with  our 
prizes  I  saw  bright  sheets  of  flame  break  out  on  our  extreme 
right,  and  run  along  rapidly  towards  the  rear.  It  was  now 
getting  well  on  towards  evening,  and  the  flashes  of  the  mus- 
ketry made  the  darkness  appear  all  the  more  intense.  But 
what  could  this  wheeling  line  mean  ? 

"I  say,  Wilmot!"  exclaimed  Corporal  Foster  as  we  stood 
watching  this  fresh  outburst,  "  that  looks  as  though  we  were 
being  outflanked." 

"  Impossible,  Sam  !  The  enemy  surely  could  not  get  so  far 
round  us." 


A    SAVAGE  BOUT. 


95 


"  Faix,  I  dunno,"  remarked  Dennis,  leaning  thoughtfully  on 
his  rifle:  "I'm  beginning  to  belave  any  thing  of  thim  Ribs. 
They're  loike  Mother  Maloney's  flea :  you  never  know  when  you 
have  'em  safe." 

The  rolUng  musketry  increased  in  volume  and  intensity  every 
moment,  and  it  was  evident  that  our  line  was  slowly  falling 
back.     Then  we   saw  lines  of  wounded   coming   towards   us, 


>feiMi:"it^:^'.:'' 


THE   IRISH  BRIGADE   TO  THE  RESCUE. 


which  seemed    strange,  as    Savage's    Station  lay  in    the  other 
direction. 

'"  Forward,  ye  divils  !  "  shouted  a  Celtic  voice  in  the  hollow 
below  us.  Looking  down,  we  saw  the  Irish  brigade.  General 
Meagher  at  its  head,  coming  along  at  a  jog-trot.  Despite  the 
gathering  darkness,  I  could  see  that  the  men's  faces  were  set  as 
though  they  knew  that  something  desperate  was  in  store  for 
them.     As  the  brigade  reached  the  higher  ground,  I  saw  the 


96  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

general  turn  in  his  saddle,  and  wave  his  sword  over  his  head. 
The  appeal  was  answered  by  a  wild  cheer  ;  and  the  brave  fellows 
went  forward  at  a  tremendous  pace,  dashing  into  the  woods 
where  the  battle  was  fiercely  raging. 

Just  at  that  moment  our  own  brigade  was  ordered  to  re- 
form :  but  the  firing  along  our  immediate  front  was  not  heavy, 
so  our  regiment  lay  at  the  edge  of  the  hollow,  comparatively 
quiet ;  though  it  was  trying  work,  listening  to  the  shells  of  a 
battery  posted  on  a  knoll  in  our  rear,  for  they  were  firing  over 
our  heads,  and  riddling  the  woods  on  the  other  side  of  the  fields. 
The  night  came ;  yet  the  scene  was  full  of  light,  caused  by  the 
rolling  musketry  and  the  rapid  discharges  of  the  four  or  five 
batteries  still  at  work.  But,  despite  its  desperate  resistance, 
our  line  was  being  overlapped  more  and  more  every  minute, 
and  the  Confederates  seemed  to  be  carrying  every  thing  before 
them. 

"  This  is  sad  business,  sergeant,"  said  Captain  Harding : 
"Savage's  Station  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Confederates,  with 
all  our  sick  and  wounded." 

"  How  about  our  stores  at  the  White  House  ?  "  I  asked,  re- 
membering the  immense  quantities  of  supplies  I  had  so  often 
seen  on  the  banks  of  the  river. 

"  Oh !  they're  all  gone,  I  suppose.  We're  cut  off  from  the 
White  House  entirely  now." 

"  I  knew  we  would  get  into  a  devilish  mess  among  these 
confounded  swamps !  "  exclaimed  Burch,  our  first  lieutenant. 
"  Why  we  ever  came  here  is  more  than  I  can  understand." 

"  That  will  do,  Burch.  You  are  always  grumbling,"  responded 
the  captain.     "  We  might  as  well  be  here  as  anywhere  else." 

"  But  wouldn't  it  have  been  better  to  hold  on  to  our  sup- 
plies?" I  asked.    "  Now  we  have  no  base." 

"True  ;  but  they  say  we  are  fighting  Stonewall  Jackson,  who 
has  come  in  from  the  Valley,"  replied  Captain  Harding. 

"  Yes :  we  are  like  rats  in  a  trap,"  grumbled  Lieutenant 
Burch  in  his  customary  dissatisfied  tone. 


A    SAVAGE  BOUT.  97 

By  this  time  the  troops  on  our  right  were  rapidly  falling 
back ;  and  soon  after  the  Regulars  came  up,  showing  that  a 
general  retreat  of  the  entire  right  wing  had  really  commenced. 
Then  orders  came  from  our  brigade  to  move  on.  As  we  did  so 
I  looked  back,  and  could  distinguish  the  first  line  of  the  enemy 
coming  forward  in  good  style.  Just  at  that  moment  a  column 
of  our  cavalry  dashed  across  the  plain,  and  disappeared  amid 
the  smoke.  Forgetting  for  the  time  that  my  regiment  was  in 
motion,  I  stood  still,  and  watched  the  result  of  this  last  despair- 
ing charge.  In  a  few  minutes  a  broken  band  of  horsemen  came 
flying  back  with  ten  or  twenty  riderless  animals  among  them. 
As  they  galloped  past,  I  also  saw  that  three  pieces  of  a  battery 
were  being  abandoned  for  want  of  horses  to  drag  them  off. 
Finding  that  the  ground  I  was  standing  on  was  becoming 
untenable,  I  ran  on  and  overtook  my  regiment. 

We  maneuvered  to  and  fro  all  that  night,  sometimes  on  firm 
solid  ground,  sometimes  in  treacherous  swamps.  Now  and  then 
we  were  saluted  by  the  Confederate  pickets,  answering  them 
blindly  with  scattering  volleys.  Every  thing  seemed  in  confu- 
sion :  none  knew  precisely  where  we  were,  or  where  we  were 
going.  The  miserable  roads  were  choked  with  cannon,  ambu- 
lances, and  wagons ;  the  denunciations  of  the  drivers,  and  the 
shrill  cries  of  the  affrighted  mules,  adding  to  the  horrors  of  the 
night  scene.  So  great  was  the  press  that  it  seemed  as  though 
every  vehicle  was  locked  with  its  fellow.  In  many  instances 
the  artillery,  in  attempting  to  pass  these  trains,  became  mired 
in  the  soft,  soggy  earth  ;  sometimes  being  compelled  to  abandon 
a  gun  as  it  sank  almost  out  of  sight.  Even  the  infantry  found 
it  difficult  to  gain  firm  footing ;  and,  for  my  own  part,  I  was 
soon  covered  with  mud  and  sand.  Moving  hither  and  thither 
in  the  darkness,  we  could  hear  the  piteous  cries  of  our  wounded ; 
yet  we  could  not  help  them,  and  we  knew  the  next  moment 
might  see  some  of  us  added  to  their  number. 

Just  then  a  new  feature  was  added  to  the  scene,  for  a  bright 
light  had  suddenly  shot  up  into  the  sky. 


98  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"What  can  that  be?"  exclaimed  Corporal  Foster. 

"  It  must  be  the  stores  on  fire  at  the  White  House,"  I  re- 
plied. 

"Quite  right,  AVilmot,"  said  Captain  Harding:  "Colonel 
Fletcher  has  just  told  me  so." 

"  Then,  we're  in  a  pretty  fix.  But  it's  just  what  I  expected," 
said  our  first  lieutenant. 

"  Why,  Burch,  at  it  again  !  "  laughed  the  captain. 

The  flames  grew  brighter  and  brighter,  until  the  horizon  was 
red  with  angry  light.  It  was  serious  business  for  us,  because 
the  destruction  of  these  stores  was  proof  of  the  critical  position 
of  tlie  army. 

Then  we  began  our  memorable  march  to  the  James  River. 
For  seven  weary  days  we  fought  from  early  dawn  until  far  into 
the  night,  marching  from  the  right  to  the  left,  each  corps  and 
division  going  into  action  after  traversing  in  turn  the  interior 
line  of  the  army.  In  this  way  the  line'  of  battle  broke  away 
from  the  right,  and  was  extended  on  the  left.  Battle  after 
battle  was  fought,  until  we  ceased  counting  the  engagements. 
Along  the  ridges  and  hills  we  formed  in  line,  and  withstood 
the  assaults  of  our  antagonists.  We  struggled  through  swamps, 
and  waded  swollen  streams,  as  we  changed  one  position  for 
another.  Amidst  a  hellish  confusion  of  sounds  Ave  fought  on  : 
the  shrieking  shell,  the  whistling  bullet,  the  dull  booming  of 
distant  cannonading,  the  sharp  rattle  of  musketry  a  few  rods 
away,  the  groans  of  the  wounded,  the  frenzied  shouts  of  wagon- 
drivers,  the  blows  of  ax-men,  the  crash  of  falling  trees, — 
through  it  all  we  marched  and  countermarched,  hardened  in 
feeling,  vengeful  at  heart,  fighting  with  the  courage  born  of 
despair. 

On  the  second  night,  after  another  desperate  struggle,  orders 
came  for  our  corps  to  cross  the  Cliickahominy  River.  About 
eight  o'clock  my  regiment  was  roused  up,  and  sent  on  ahead 
to  the  bridge  nearest  the  line  of  battle.  We  were  to  keep 
the  column  in  motion  ;  no  man  being  permitted  to  halt  on  the 


A    SAVAGE  BOUT.  99 

bridge,  even  for  an  instant.  At  ten  o'clock  the  head  of  our 
division  made  its  appearance,  two  other  columns  crossing  on 
the  bridges  just  beyond  a  bend  in  the  sluggish  stream.  For 
four  long  hours  the  troops  pressed  on,  the  trains  holding  the 
center  of  the  road.  With  a  few  torches  to  define  the  outlines 
of  the  bridge,  we  stood  there,  urging  on  the  laggards,  or  lending 
a  helloing  hand  to  some  half-wrecked  vehicle.  Wagons,  cannon, 
pontoons,  and  ambulances,  artillery,  cavalry,  and  infantry,  all 
pushed,  on,  pell-mell,  with  that  painful  haste  incident  to  a 
retreat.  As  the  first  faint  streaks  of  dawn  reddened  the  tree- 
toj)s,  French's  division  came  up  at  a  swinging  gait.  Scarcely 
had  the  rearguard  reached  the  other  bank  of  the  river  when 
the  engineers  began  destroying  the  bridge.  We  were  all  safely 
across,  and  the  army  was  once  more  re-united.  But  we  had  left 
our  dead  and  wounded  behnid  us,  the  ground  where  they  fell 
being  strewn  with  abandoned  weapons. 

As  our  regiment  moved  away  from  the  bridge  in  search  of 
our  brigade,  I  felt  a  pain  in  my  right  foot ,  which  became  at 
length  so  irksome,  I  was  glad  to  sit  down,  and  ascertain  the 
cause.  A  spent  bullet  had  torn  open  the  counter  of  my  high 
laced  shoe,  and  bruised  the  flesh.  When  I  had  been  hit  I  knew 
not,  for  the  excitement  and  constant  movement  had  prevented 
my  noticing  it  before.  The  bullet  was  safely  embedded  be- 
tween the  flesh  and  leather,  and  I  experienced  decided  relief 
on  cutting  out  the  bit  of  lead  with  my  knife.  I  did  not  dare 
to  unlace  the  shoe ;  for  my  foot  was  already  so  swollen,  I  was 
satisfied  I  should  not  be  able  to  get  it  on  again.  Slipping  the 
battered  bullet  into  my  pocket,  I  limped  forward,  determined 
to  keep  up  with  the  regiment  as  long  as  possible.  Any  amount 
of  physical  suffering  was  preferable  to  being  made  a  prisoner. 

What  with  the  pain  of  my  foot,  the  constant  marching,  and 
frequent  halts  for  battle,  the  next  four  days  and  nights  passed 
like  a  troubled  dream.  I  knew  we  were  in  the  reserve  line  at 
Cold  Harbor,  and  on  the  left  of  the  main  line  at  Malvern  Hill : 
I    afterwards    remembered    the    incessant    cannonading   which 


100  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

marked  the  latter  engagement,  and  that  once  during  that 
afternoon  I  was  roused  by  Dennis  in  time  to  be  on  my  feet 
when  our  brigade  opened  a  withering  fire  on  the  enemy.  Den- 
nis, indeed,  insisted  that  when  he  slipped  into  a  treacherous 
hole  among  the  swamps  I  saved  his  life  by  a  timely  grip  of  his 
arm ;  but  I  had  no  recollection  of  the  incident.  Beyond  the 
few  episodes  already  mentioned,  all  was  a  blank.  Wet  through 
to  my  skin,  without  food  for  days,  in  an  agony  of  pain,  my  foot 
feeling  as  if  imprisoned  in  a  vise,  and  my  shoe  filled  with  sharp, 
cutting  sand,  I  staggered  on,  half-crazed,  until  at  length,  on  the 
3d  of  July,  our  corps  emerged  from  the  woods,  and  we  found 
ourselves  in  a  broad,  open  field  of  standing  wheat. 

"  The  James  River  I  The  James ! "  shouted  hundreds  of 
voices,  the  welcome  cry  being  taken  up  and  repeated  again  and 
again. 

It  was  indeed  the  James ;  and,  as  we  moved  across  the  field, 
I  could  see  the  gunboats  lying  in  the  stream.  Soon  after  we 
had  halted  for  camp,  our  naval  vessels  began  shelling  the  woods 
along  our  front.  Despite  my  pain,  I  slept  soundly  through  the 
night,  my  foot  feeling  stronger  and  easier  for  the  rest.  Dennis 
had  been  missing  nearly  all  of  the  previous  day ;  but  he  now 
re-appeared,  his  absence  explained  by  the  segment  of  a  ham 
and  a  bag  of  biscuit  he  triumphantly  displayed  before  my  eyes. 

"  Where  did  you  get  them  ?  "  I  cried  hungrily. 

"Why,  whin  I  found  yesterday  there  was  going  to  be  no 
more  foighting,  I  made  up  my  moind  to  forage  a  bit :  so  I  wint 
down  among  the  wagons  and  bought  these." 

"  You  are  sure  you  bought  them  ?  "  said  I  a  little  doubtfully. 

"To  be  shure.  Troth,  I'd  'a'  shtole  thim  if  there  had  bin  no 
other  way  to  get  'em.  But  I  came  acrost  a  countryman  of 
moine,  —  a  Munster  man,  —  and  he  let  me  hev  the  whole  for  a 
foive-dollar  bill." 

"  Well,  he  charged  you  enough  for  them,  though  he  was  a 
countryman,"  I  remarked,  laughing. 

"  Och!  to  the  divil  wid  the  money!     What  does  it  matter,  so 


A    SAVAGE  BOUT.  103 

long  as  we  don't  starve?"  replied  Dennis  disdainfull)-,  as  he 
busied  himself  getting  breakfast  ready. 

"  Sergeant  Wilmot,  you're  detailed  for  guard-duty  at  the 
general's  headquarters,''  said  the  sergeant-major,  coming  up,  and 
sniffing  at  Dennis's  broiling  ham. 

"  Guard-duty  !  Why,  it's  only  a  few  days  since  I  was  there 
on  guard,"  I  exclaimed,  annoyed  at  the  unpleasant  prospect. 

"  I  know  it,  Frank ;  but  every  sergeant  above  you  on  my  list 
has  been  killed,  wounded,  or  is  missing.  So  your  turn  comes 
round  again  in  a  hurry." 

"  Very  well ;  but  I  am  in  a  bad  trim  for  headquarters  duty." 

"  We're  none  of  us  great  dandies  just  now,"  replied  the 
sergeant-major,  glancing  at  his  own  soiled  uniform.  "But 
what's  this  you've  got  for  breakfast  ?  " 

"  A  bit  of  ham  and  some  sutler's  biscuit.  Sit  down  and  join 
us,  Fitzgerald,"  said  I  hospitably. 

"  That's  an  invitation  not  to  be  slighted.  I've  not  had  any 
thing  yet  beyond  a  cup  of  coffee,"  replied  the  sergeant-major, 
sitting  down,  and  joining  in  the  appetizing  meal. 

An  hour  later  I  was  marching  with  my  guard  to  General 
Fitz  John  Porter's  headquarters,  where  I  discovered  that  my 
command  did  not  number  over  half  the  strength  of  the  one  I 
had  relieved.  I  accordingly  proceeded  to  the  adjutant-general's 
tent  to  ask  that  the  number  of  sentinels  might  be  reduced. 

"  I  have  only  forty  men,  sir,"  said  I ;  "  and  there  are  now 
over  twenty  posts.     Can't  we  reduce  the  line  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  not,  sergeant.  How  came  they  to  give  you  so 
few  men  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know.     I  took  all  that  were  detailed." 

"Well,  you  must  do  the  best  you  can,"  said  the  adjutant. 

"  It  will  be  awful  hard  work  for  the  men,"  said  I,  turning  on 
my  heel  to  rejoin  my  command. 

"  Hold  on,  sergeant ! "  exclaimed  an  authoritative  voice. 
Turning  again,  I  found  myself  before  General  Porter. 

"  I've  heard  your  request.     It  is  a  very  reasonable  one :  so 


104  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

use  your  own  judgment.  Cut  clown  the  posts  to  ten  if  you 
can." 

"Thank  you,  general.  The  men  will  be  pleased,  and  do  all 
the  better  duty,"  I  replied,  saluting,  and  limping  away. 

"  Here  !  come  back,  sergeant,"  exclaimed  the  general. 

I  obeyed,  wondering  what  was  the  matter  now. 

"  What  makes  you  limp  ?    Are  you  wounded  ?  " 

"  I  got  a  spent  ball  in  my  shoe,  sir,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Chickahominy ;  and  it  has  made  my  foot  very  sore,"  was  my 
reply. 

"  Has  any  one  examined  it?  "  he  asked  kindly. 

"  Not  yet,  sir.     I've  not  dared  to  take  the  shoe  off." 

"  But  why  didn't  you  report  for  hospital  ?  " 

"  Oh  I  they  would  laugh  at  me  with  only  a  broken  shoe  and 
a  sjient  ball." 

"  I  don't  know  about  that.  It  may  be  more  serious  than  you 
imagine,"  said  the  general.  "  My  surgeon  shall  look  at  it  by 
and  by." 

When  the  surgeon  did  come,  he  announced  that  gangrene  had 
set  in,  and  tortured  me  with  lunar  caustic  until  I  thought  my 
foot  was  on  fire.  General  Porter  sent  me  a  good  supper,  and 
the  next  morning  gave  orders  that  I  should  be  carried  in  an  am- 
bulance to  Harrison's  Landing,  where  the  Sanitary  Commission 
fleet  were  receiving  patients.  When  the  new  guard  arrived 
I  had  a  sorrowful  joarting  with  poor  Dennis,  and  soon  after 
reached  the  wharf  Halting  before  the  medical  officer  to  give 
my  name  and  rank,  I  saw  it  was  the  White-House  director 
from  whom  Dennis  and  I  had  run  away.  The  old  colonel  rec- 
ognized me  at  once. 

"  Ah,  ha !  So  here  3'ou  are,  Mv.  Runaway,"  he  exclaimed 
in  a  sarcastic  tone.  "  Well,  don't  you  wish  you  had  staid  with 
me?" 

"  No,  indeed,  sir.  I  would  not  have  missed  the  late  move- 
ment for  any  thing,"  I  replied. 

"  Don't  you  think  you  would  have  been  better  off  on  '  The 


A   SAVAGE  BOUT.  105 

Elm  City,'  than  tramping  through  those  dreadful  swamps,  and 
coming  here  with  a  smashed  foot  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  so,  colonel ;  but  I  prefer  the  swamps." 

"I've  a  good  mind  to  put  you  under  arrest  for  deserting  your 
post,"  he  exclaimed  with  a  frown  on  his  face. 

"  Oh,  no,  doctor !  You  only  arrest  contract  surgeons,  for  try- 
ing to  cut  off  a  man's  fingers,"  I  replied  saucily,  for  I  knew  he 
considered  the  incident  a  great  joke. 

"  Ha,  ha !  so  I  do.  Well,  sergeant,  here's  your  pass.  Now 
go  aboard  the  steamer,  and  God  bless  you,  my  brave  boy ! " 

That  night  the  steamer  dropped  down  the  river;  and  soon 
after,  I  entered  on  hospital  life  in  Baltimore,  not  seeing  my 
regiment  again  for  some  months. 


106 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER  X. 


AGAIN   IN   HARNESS. 


'  It  was  a  goodly  sight 
To  see  the  embattled  pomp.' 


In  Camp  under  the  Mountains,  Va.,  Nov.  4, 1862. 

EAR  WILMOT,  — I  am  glad  your  foot  is  getting 
strong,  for  we  miss  j^ou  very  much.  You  would 
have  enjoyed  our  campaign  in  Maryland  if  you 
had  come  out  of  it  with  a  whole  skin  as  I  did  ;  but 
our  poor  regiment  has  suffered  terribly.  At  Ma- 
nassas we  got  into  an  awful  hole,  and,  out  of  five 
hundred  and  forty  officers  and  men,  came  off  the 
field  with  less  than  three  hundred.  Adjutant  Bu- 
ford  was  killed  almost  at  the  moment  we  went  into 
action  ;  for  he  was  struck  in  the  chest  by  no  less 
than  five  bullets,  while  we  were  all  scrambling  out 
of  a  ditch  by  the  side  of  the  railroad.  Captain 
Waylaud  got  a  ball  in  his  l)rain  soon  after,  and  we 
also  lost  Lieutenants  King  and  Gellett ;  while  among  the  wounded 
were  Captain  Joyce  and  Lieutenants  Butler,  Healy,  and  Martin.  So 
you  see,  the  recruits  they  have  sent  us  are  very  welcome  :  yet  we  do 
not  muster  more  than  five  hundred  even  now ;  for  at  Antietara  and 
Sharpsburg  we  lost  nearly  sixty  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  didn't 
see  much  of  the  fighting  either.  Poor  Beaseley  was  killed  at  Antie- 
tam  by  an  unlucky  bullet ;  and,  as  you  were  away,  I  had  to  make 
Phillips  our  orderly-sergeant  in  his  place,  but  that  won't  stand  in 
your  way  for  promotion.  Colonel  Fletcher  is  now  a  brigadier  ;  and 
as  Lieutenant-Colonel  Doran  died  recently  of  the  wound  he  got  when 
we  charged  that  battery  in  the  wheat-field  at  Gaines's  Blills,  Major 


AGAIN  IN  HARNESS.  107 

Lloyd  is  now  colonel.  Captain  Purcell  wears  the  silver  leaf  of  a 
lieutenant-colonel,  and  your  humble  servant  is  major.  Sergeant-Major 
Fitzgerald  is  to  be  adjutant,  Lieutenant  Dickson  is  captain  of  Purcell's 
company,  and  that  old  growler  Bureh  is  of  course  your  captain.  A 
whole  batch  of  commissions  is  expected  every  day,  and  General 
Fletcher  sent  in  your  name  for  a  lieuteuantcy  as  a  reward  for 
running  away  from  that  hospital-ship.  But  you  must  be  in  the  field 
to  be  mustered  in  as  an  officer,  so  the  general  hopes  you  will  be 
able  to  report  for  duty  before  we  move  again.  Come  right  away, 
and  bring  a  uniform  and  sword  with  you.  Dennis  Malone  was  made 
a  corporal  yesterday,  and  is  always  talking  of  you.  I  shall  expect  to 
see  you  in  a  few  days.  We  go  into  camp  to-morrow,  near  Warren- 
ton.     Yours  faithfully, 

THOMAS  HARDING, 

Major  —th  N.  Y.  Vols. 
To  Lieutenant  Frank  "Wilmot, 

Laiyht-street  Hospital,  Baltimore,  Md. 

I  had  already  become  impatient  of  my  hospital  confinement; 
and,  as  I  could  now  walk  about,  I  had  already  begun  thinking 
of  returning  to  the  regiment.  Our  surgeon  shook  his  head 
whenever  I  spoke  of  it,  and  urged  me  to  be  patient  for  a  few 
weeks  longer,  as  my  foot  was  still  very  tender.  The  major's 
kind  letter,  and  the  announcement  that  I  was  to  be  promoted, 
decided  the  question,  however ;  and  I  insisted  on  being  allowed 
to  go.  Finding  me  determined,  the  surgeon  put  my  name  on 
the  list  of  convalescents ;  and  the  next  day  I  was  on  my  way  to 
the  army. 

Arriving  at  Alexandria,  opposite  Washington,  I  found  the 
town  bustling  with  excitement,  it  being  the  temporary  base 
of  supplies.  The  streets  were  full  of  wagons,  and  long  trains 
of  them  were  moving  toward  Fairfax,  on  their  way  to  the  army. 
At  the  railroad  depot,  cars  were  being  filled  with  ammunition, 
spare  cannon  and  caissons.  Everywhere  there  was  bustle  and 
excitement,  and  it  was  easy  to  see  that  an  important  campaign 
was  contemplated.  Already  I  caught  the  influence  of  army 
life,  and  felt  its  fascination  as  strong  as  ever.     Clambering  to 


108  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

the  roof  of  a  train,  I  had  hardly  settled  myself  for  my  rough 
ride,  when  I  found  the  cars  in  motion  towards  Centerville. 

Events  in  the  field,  both  East  and  West,  had  moved  rapidly 
during  my  absence  from  tlie  regiment.  Lee  left  McClellan  as 
soon  as  the  latter  had  encamped  his  troops  on  the  James,  and 
attacked  Pope,  then  holding  the  line  of  the  Rapidan.  Pope 
made  a  running  fight  as  he  hastily  fell  back  before  Lee,  from 
Culpepper  to  Centerville.  Washington  being  threatened,  Mc- 
Clellan was  summoned  to  Alexandria  with  his  army.  Though 
it  was  impossible  to  win  a  victory  by  the  union  of  two  half- 
demoralized  armies,  the  battle  of  Manassas  was  fought  in  haste, 
and,  being  lost,  was  repented  of  at  leisure. 

Flushed  by  success,  Lee  then  boldly  crossed  the  Potomac, 
and  advanced  as  far  as  Frederick  City,  in  Maryland,  before  any 
check  could  be  interposed.  Stonewall  Jackson  seized  Harper's 
Ferry  with  an  independent  column,  the  garrison  surrendering 
without  firing  a  shot.  Startled  by  this  change  in  the  game,  the 
Government  placed  McClellan  in  command  of  all  the  Federal 
forces  from  the  Peninsula  and  the  Virginia  Valley,  when  he 
undertook  to  drive  the  enemy  back. 

By  a  clever  counter-movement  on  South  Mountain,  McClellan 
succeeded  in  outflanking  Lee,  forcing  him  to  fall  back  to  Antie- 
tam.  So  well  had  McClellan  got  his  troops  in  hand,  that  when 
he  gave  battle  at  Antietam  his  onslaught  had  a  momentum 
which  compelled  Lee  to  retreat  across  the  Potomac.  The  lack 
of  supplies  and  clothing  prevented  the  Federals  entering  upon 
a  vigorous  pursuit ;  but  when  the  commanding  general  did  get 
his  army  in  condition  to  move,  he  at  once  re-crossed  the  Poto- 
mac, his  troops  full  of  courage.  However,  McClellan  had  scarce- 
ly entered  on  his  projected  campaign,  when  he  found  himself 
supplanted  by  Burnside ,  and  he  never  entered  the  field  again. 

Li  the  West,  Bragg  started  out  on  a  raid  through  Kentucky, 
but,  being  foiled  in  his  advance  on  Cincinnati,  consoled  himself 
by  declaring  Kentucky  a  Confederate  State.  The  battle  of 
Corinth  had  occurred  during  our  advance  up  the  Peninsula, 


AGAIN  IN  HARNESS.  109 

and  some  progress  had  been  made  towards  opening  the  Mis- 
sissippi. Memphis  had  fallen,  and  the  Confederate  lines  were 
being  narrowed.  Halleck  being  summoned  to  Washington, 
the  command  of  the  Western  armies  fell  on  the  shoulders  of 
Grant,  who  now  held  Corinth,  Grand  Junction,  and  Memphis. 

But  the  prospect  was  by  no  means  an  encouraging  one ;  for 
a  new  levy  of  troops  had  been  found  necessary,  leading  to  a 
pernicious  system  of  bounties.  Even  the  Confederates  were 
dissatisfied ;  as  their  armies  were  now  tasting  of  the  bitterness 
of  defeat,  and  the  severity  of  the  ocean  blockade  was  begin- 
ning to  be  felt.  In  fact,  both  sections  were  learning  that  the 
war  would  be  long  and  tedious. 

Despite  the  half-wrecked  condition  of  the  railroad  from 
Alexandria  to  Warrenton,  my  ride  to  the  front  was  an  enjoya- 
ble one.  As  we  neared  Fairfax,  after  passing  through  the  line 
of  forts  occupying  the  line  of  hills  near  Alexandria,  signs  of 
the  presence  of  an  army  multiplied.  Enormous  trains  of  white 
canvas-topped  wagons  thronged  the  stony  and  hilly  roads.  Pain- 
fully crawling  up  the  steep  inclines,  or  plunging  madly  into  the 
valleys,  these  wagons  covered  the  face  of  the  country  like  a 
colony  of  ants,  indicating  by  their  numbers  the  extensive 
scope  of  the  quartermaster's  department.  Here  and  there, 
nestling  among  the  hills,  were  encamped  detachments  of  troops 
employed  in  guarding  the  railroad ;  and  on  our  reaching  Cen- 
terville,  I  found  more  forts,  more  troops,  and  a  perfect  sea  of 
wagons.  I  was  at  length  in  the  Virginia  Valley,  and  approach- 
ing the  outskirts  of  the  army.  But,  beyond  the  presence  of  a 
few  cavalry  pickets,  which  were  scattered  over  the  plains  of 
Manassas,  I  saw  no  large  body  of  troops  until  we  reached 
Warrenton  Junction.  This  part  of  the  route  was  full  of 
interest  to  me,  for  it  was  the  first  time  I  had  seen  the  ground 
since  the  war  began.  On  leaving  Tom  Marshall,  I  had  saun- 
tered through  this  section  of  the  country  in  tolerably  happy 
mood.     Now  how  changed  was  the  landscape  ! 

The  country  was  destitute  of  timber;    the  fences  had  dis- 


110  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

appeared ;  and  in  many  places  even  the  dwellings  were  gone. 
The  smiling  roads  I  had  tramped  over,  with  their  hedges  full 
of  summer  flowers,  had  been  obliterated  by  the  march  of 
armed  hosts ;  and  where  the  plow  had  turned  the  furrow 
for  a  harvest  that  was  never  to  be  reaped,  unsightly  earthworks 
frowned  over  the  barren,  deserted  scene.  The  ravages  of  war 
were  visible  everywhere,  and  thousands  of  dead  men  lay  only 
half  covered  by  the  earth  they  had  fought  over.  Even  the 
birds  were  mute,  for  the  thunders  of  the  battles  had  driven 
them  to  the  mountains.  Brown,  bare,  and  silent,  these  desolate 
plains  bore  striking  evidence  of  the  destructive  weight  of 
contending  armies. 

At  length  I  caught  sight  of  tents,  and,  looking  up  the  valley 
towards  the  Rappahannock  River,  saw  that  every  bit  of  rising 
ground  was  occupied  by  troops.  At  the  Junction  a  few  of 
the  convalescents  on  the  train  left  us  to  join  their  commands  ; 
the  remainder  going  to  Warrenton,  where  the  main  body  of  the 
army  was  encamped. 

By  the  time  our  train  cleared  the  confused  group  of  sheds 
and  tents  at  the  Junction,  the  shades  of  evening  had  begun 
falling.  As  the  light  of  day  faded  away,  the  darkness  was 
strangely  tempered  by  a  subdued  glimmer,  the  reflection  of 
which  rose  high  in  the  heavens.  It  was  caused  b)-  the  camp- 
fires  of  the  great  army,  like  the  glow  over  a  distant  city.  I 
was  indeed  approaching  a  city,  —  one  built  of  canvas,  which  at 
an  hour's  notice  could  disappear,  only  to  spring  up  again  miles 
and  miles  away. 

A  sharp  turn  in  the  road  brought  our  train  out  of  a  belt  of 
woods,  and  a  moment  after  the  immense  camp  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  men  lay  revealed  before  us. 

Viewed  from  the  roof  of  our  swaying  car,  as  it  rattled  over 
the  rudely  laid  rails,  the  scene  was  a  wonderful  one,  even  to 
me,  accustomed  to  such  sights.  For  miles,  as  far  as  the  eye 
could  reach,  up  and  down  the  valley,  the  troops  occupied  the 
land.     In  broad  bands,  scattered  clusters,  or  dense  masses,  the 


,?^^;^  i'^\ 


^^JmnJii 


AGAIN  IN  HARNESS.  113 

tents  occupied  every  available  bit  of  ground;  and,  as  every 
tent  was  illuminated  by  the  lights  within,  their  outlines  were 
distinctly  visible  in  the  gathering  darkness.  It  seemed  more 
like  a  glimpse  of  fairy-land  than  a  scene  in  real  life.  Thousands 
of  camp-fires  lent  additional  brilliance  to  the  picture  ;  while 
high  above  our  heads  the  sky  was  full  of  reflected  light,  which 
seemed  to  throw  the  mountains  beyond  into  deeper  and  darker 
shadow.  The  sounds  of  many  voices  filled  the  air,  mingling 
with  the  discordant  braying  of  hungry  mules,  or  the  more 
musical  neighing  of  artillery  and  cavalry  horses.  Above  this 
confused  murmur  of  sounds,  rose  the  thrilling  notes  of  the 
headquarter  bugles,  as  they  rang  out  in  silvery  cadence  the 
usual  evening  calls ;  then  the  monotonous  roll  of  the  drums 
came  to  my  ear,  like  the  bass  notes  of  an  organ,  as  they  beat 
the  tattoo.  Amidst  all  these  stirring  sights  and  sounds,  the 
train  kept  on  its  mad  career  until  the  scream  of  our  locomotive- 
whistle  drowned  both  bugle  and  drum  by  its  piercing  voice, 
rudely  waking  me  from  my  reverie  to  discover  that  we  were 
entering  the  town  of  Warrenton. 

On  descending  to  the  platform,  every  bone  in  my  body  aching 
from  the  effects  of  my  rough  ride,  I  saw  it  would  be  difficult 
to  find  my  regiment  in  the  darkness,  so  decided  to  bivouac  for 
the  night  near  the  depot.  From  the  drivers  who  thronged  the 
platform,  I  learned  that  the  whole  army  was  now  massed  to- 
gether, and  a  general  movement  daily  expected.  Wrapping 
myself  in  my  blanket  after  a  meager  supper,  I  once  more  slept 
on  the  soft  earth,  waking  bright  and  refreshed  early  the  follow- 
ing morning. 

Magnificent  as  had  been  the  scene  over  night,  the  camps 
were  fully  as  picturesque  when  viewed  by  daylight.  The  sun 
had  just  touched  the  tops  of  the  mountain  range,  and  wrapped 
them  in  a  mantle  of  golden  light,  as  I  halted  on  some  rising 
ground  beyond  the  town,  and  gazed  at  the  wilderness  of  canvas 
before  me.  Right  in  front  lay  the  tents  of  my  own  corps ;  and, 
as  the  mists  rose  under  the  warm  rays  of  the  sun,  they  revealed 


114  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

the  breakfast  fires  of  the  men,  while  farther  on  more  camps 
extended  until  lost  in  the  distance.  Noisy  as  had  been  the 
evening,  the  sounds  were  now  of  greater  volume  and  diversity. 
The  bugle  and  the  drum  were  again  active  as  they  summoned 
the  troops  to  the  duties  of  the  hour;  and  black  dots  in  the 
landscape  betrayed  the  presence  of  the  assembling  companies. 
Trudging  over  the  dusty  road,  my  heart  grew  light  under  the 
influence  of  these  martial  sights  and  sounds;  and  I  felt  a 
strange  feeling  of  joyfulness  at  being  once  more  within  the 
limits  of  the  army.  The  glamour  of  military  life  had  again 
fallen  on  my  eyes ;  and  I  forgot  the  cruelty  and  horror  of  war 
in  the  presence  of  its  pomp  and  magnificence. 

After  a  walk  of  nearly  a  mile,  I  at  length  reached  our  camp, 
receiving  a  hearty  Avelcome  from  my  comrades. 

The  feeling  in  the  army  at  the  sudden  removal  of  General  ^NIc- 
Clellan,  on  the  eve  of  a  new  campaign,  was  one  of  great  bitter- 
ness ;  for  the  general  possessed  that  personal  magnetism  which 
makes  popular  leaders.  The  army  entertained  a  great  respect 
for  Burnside,  but  it  was  felt  that  our  old  commander  owed  his 
fall  to  the  machinations  of  the  politicians  at  Washington. 
However,  we  had  become  seasoned  by  the  heat  of  battle,  and, 
being  soldiers,  were  content  to  do  our  duty  under  any  com- 
mander. 

To  my  surprise,  the  army  remained  in  camp  where  I  had 
found  it,  for  nearly  a  week  after  my  arrival ;  Captain  Burch 
having  ample  occasion  for  indulging  in  his  favorite  propensity 
for  grumbling. 

At  last  orders  came  to  move ;  and  by  the  middle  of  Novem- 
ber the  entire  army  was  on  the  march,  in  three  grand  divisions, 
under  Sumner,  Hooker,  and  Franklin,  arriving  a  few  days 
after  on  the  banks  of  the  Rappahannock  River,  near  Falmouth. 
Our  pickets  reported  a  strong  force  of  Confederate  troops  on 
the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  the  next  day  we  saw  lieavy 
masses  occupying  the  heights  beyond  the  city  of  Fredericks- 
burg.    It  seemed  foolhardy  to  attempt  the  passage  of  a  river  in 


AGAIN  IN  HARNESS.  115 

the  presence  of  such  an  antagonist  as  Lee,  yet  that  was  what 
our  general  decided  to  do. 

Two  or  three  days  were  lost  in  useless  maneuvers,  as  if  to 
give  the  enemy  ample  time  to  assemble  his  army,  and  fortify 
his  position.  Finally  a  feint  was  made  below  the  town,  which 
came  to  nothing ;  the  fact  being  explained  by  General  Fletcher, 
telling  us  that  there  were  no  pontoons. 

"  There  we  go  again  !  "  grumbled  Captain  Burch.  "  Always 
some  delay.  Those  confounded  pontoons  will  cost  us  a  thou- 
sand lives." 

"  Yes,"  said  Major  Harding ;  "  and  when  they  get  you  into 
hospital,  I  hope  they'll  mend  your  temper  as  Avell  as  your 
body." 

The  pontoons  arriving  at  last,  preparations  were  made  on 
the  morning  of  Dec.  10  for  crossing  the  river.  Scarcely  had  the 
pontoon-train  made  its  appearance  on  the  bank,  when  a  furious 
fire  was  opened  by  the  Confederate  pickets ,  a  few  light  batter- 
ies being  also  brought  into  play.  Our  own  artillery  then  came 
into  action,  thus  presenting  the  singular  spectacle  of  a  battle 
being  fought  across  a  river  for  two  or  three  miles  of  its  length. 
Our  brigade  was  now  ordered  forward  to  support  and  protect 
the  engineers  while  at  work. 

We  soon  reached  the  place  where  the  upper  bridge  was 
being  laid :  so  our  regiment  was  thickly  planted  in  the  fringe 
of  bushes  along  the  top  of  the  bank,  finding  a  sharp  shower  of 
bullets  flying  over  our  heads  as  we  fell  into  our  places. 

The  engineers  went  coolly  to  work,  being  partially  hidden 
by  a  fog ;  and,  as  boat  after  boat  was  launched,  it  was  rapidly 
placed  m  position,  until  it  seemed  as  if  the  bridge  was  bodily 
growing  out  of  the  river-bank.  Under  a  galling  fire  of  mus- 
ketry, these  men  chopped  and  hammered  as  quietly  and  steadily 
as  they  would  in  a  workshop  or  shipyard ;  but  every  few  minutes 
some  brave  fellow  would  drop  his  ax  or  hammer,  and  slowly 
limp  away,  or  be  carried  off  by  his  comrades.  Still  the  work 
proceeded  with  celerity,  until  it  was  nearly  half-way  across. 


116  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

Then  the  men  found  they  could  no  longer  stand  before  the 
destructive  storm  of  lead  that  was  pouring  on  the  structure. 
As  they  retired,  the  reserve  artillery  of  over  one  hundred  guns 
began  bombarding  the  city ;  but  even  this  terrible  iron  hail  did 
not  silence  the  Confederate  riflemen  lying  so  snugly  behind  the 
stone  wall  on  the  river-bank.  Accordingly,  a  new  movement 
was  decided  upon :  our  regiment  was  to  cross  the  river  in  boats 
above  the  bridge,  while  another  did  the  same  below. 

With  a  wild  cheer,  our  men  ran  down  the  cutting  that  led  to 
the  half-finished  bridge,  and  leaped  recklessly  into  the  pontoon- 
boats  awaiting  us.  As  we  pushed  off  on  our  perilous  venture, 
our  infantry  on  the  bank  behind  us  began  a  tremendous  dis- 
charge of  musketry,  the  batteries  on  the  slopes  beyond  filling 
the  air  above  our  heads  with  percussion-shells.  This  had  the 
desired  effect ;  for  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  riflemen  visibly  slack- 
ened, though  frequent  cries  and  groans  in  our  boats  showed 
that  it  was  still  effective. 

"  By  the  powers  above  !  "  exclaimed  Dennis,  as  he  crouched 
at  my  feet.  "  This  is  the  worst  yit.  Whin  I  'listed  for  a 
soger,  it's  little  I  thought  I'd  ever  be  a  marine." 

"  Never  mind,  Dennis,"  said  I :  "  somebody  had  to  do  this. 
It's  an  honor  for  our  regiment  to  be  selected." 

"  The  divil  fly  away  with  the  honor,  say  I !  It's  bad  enough 
to  be  killed  by  a  bullet,  but  I  don't  fancy  being  drownded  into 
the  bargain,"  muttered  Dennis  in  a  dissatisfied  tone. 

The  distance  from  the  end  of  the  bridge  to  the  opposite  bank 
was  fortunately  very  short;  and  as  our  boatmen  verily  plied 
their  oars  for  their  lives,  we  were  soon  on  terra  firma.  As 
each  boat  struck  the  bank,  the  men  sprang  into  the  water,  and 
began  clambering  up  with  rigid  faces  and  bloodshot  eyes. 
When  my  boat  came  up,  I  shouted  to  my  men  to  follow  me,  at 
the  same  instant  leaping  over  the  gunwale.  In  a  few  minutes 
more  we  were  at  the  top  of  the  bank,  as  with  a  ringing  cheer 
the  regiment  drove  back  the  Confederate  pickets. 

It  was  sharp  work,  though,  while  it  lasted ;  and  we  could  see 


AGAIN  IN  UARNESS. 


117 


a  column  of  infantry  coming  down  to  meet  ns.  But  our  sup- 
ports were  prompt  in  joining  us,  so  we  were  able  to  present  a 
tolerably  solid  front.     While  we  were  thus  employed,  the  work 


of  building  the  bridge  had  been  resumed,  and  proceeded  so 
rapidly  that  we  soon  heard  the  steady  tramp  of  the  advancing 
columns  over  its  completed  span.     In  half  an  hour,  sufficient 


118  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

troops  had  arrived  to  drive  in  the  main  line  of  the  enemy,  and 
the  number  of  our  forces  increased  every  minute.  The  river 
had  been  seized. 

Considering  the  hazardous  duty  performed  by  the  regiment, 
our  loss  was  comparatively  light;  my  company  losing  only  three 
men,  none  of  them  killed,  though  the  companies  on  the  right, 
which  had  been  the  first  to  cross,  suffered  more  heavily.  The 
dead  and  wounded  were  sent  back  in  the  returning  boats,  and 
word  was  passed  for  the  men  to  lie  down  and  rest. 

The  sun  had  by  this  time  grown  sufficiently  strong  to  dispel 
the  mists,  and  the  slight  hoar-frost  on  the  ground  also  disap- 
peared. The  Confederates  had  evidently  abandoned  all  further 
effort  to  prevent  our  army  crossing  the  Rappahannock,  for  we 
now  held  undisputed  possession  of  the  city.  Hour  after  hour  I 
sat  on  the  bank,  watching  the  troops  tramping  over  the  bridge, 
while  down  the  river  I  could  see  the  other  grand  divisions  mov- 
ing across.  Seeing  these  thousands  of  brave  men  advancing  to 
do  battle,  I  thought  of  those  who  would  never  return ;  for  many 
of  them  were  fated  to  find  graves  on  the  slopes  beyond  the  town. 
But  they  were  all  in  high  spirits,  laughing  and  joking  with  one 
another  as  if  going  to  a  frolic  instead  of  a  deadly  engagement. 

By  two  o'clock  that  afternoon  the  entire  army  was  over  the 
river,  and  our  pickets  were  savagely  at  work  outside  the  limits 
of  the  city.  The  field-batteries  that  had  come  over  with  their 
several  corps  were  now  taking  up  position  on  the  right  and  cen- 
ter ;  while  the  tremendous  mass  of  heavy  artillery  assembled  in 
front  of  Falmouth  was  again  beginning  to  thunder,  sending  a 
perfect  storm  of  shells  into  the  enemy's  lines. 

We  were  not  slow  to  understand  the  tactics  of  our  opponents ; 
for  already  the  heights  back  of  the  city  were  alive  with  men 
busily  intrenching  themselves,  the  tops  of  the  range  of  hills 
frowning  with  batteries.  To  face  such  a  line  of  fire  would  be  a 
terrible  task :  still  our  army  coolly  prepared  itself  for  the  ordeal. 
As  the  sun  was  nearing  the  horizon,  our  brigade  was  called  up, 
and  we  marched  through  the  streets  of  Fredericksburg. 


AGAIN  IN  HARNESS.  119 

Long  lines  of  wounded  men  were  passing  to  the  rear,  and  the 
frequent  relays  of  hospital  stretchers  attested  the  severity  of  the 
conflict  already  begun.  A  continuous  roll  of  musketry  sounded 
sullenly  on  the  left ;  and  then  we  heard  a  faint  and  distant 
cheer,  as  though  some  advantageous  position  had  been  seized. 
Beyond  this  we  knew  nothing  of  the  results  attained.  Every 
house  in  the  city  had  been  abandoned  by  its  inhabitants,  the 
streets  being  littered  Avith  fragments  of  household  property, 
evidence  of  the  haste  with  which  the  residents  of  the  unhappy 
town  had  endeavored  to  save  something  from  the  threatening- 
destruction.  Shells  were  falling  everywhere,  both  from  our 
own  and  the  Confederate  batteries ;  crushing  in  roofs,  overturn- 
ing chimneys,  shattering  windows,  and  filling  the  air  with  dust 
and  flying  splinters.  In  one  street  a  house  had  caught  fire  just 
before  we  came  up ;  and  a  party  of  pioneers  were  fighting  the 
flames,  which  were,  however,  quite  beyond  their  control. 

"  Halt !  "  cried  Colonel  Lloyd  in  obedience  to  a  signal  given 
by  an  officer  standing  in  the  street.  While  we  were  wondering 
at  the  order,  a  column  of  white  smoke  suddenly  enveloped  the 
burning  house,  followed  by  an  explosion.  Then  we  saw  the 
entire  building  rise  in  a  mass,  flying  a  second  after  into  a  mil- 
lion fragments. 

"Faith,  an'  that's  the  way  they  do  the  blasting  on  the 
avenoo,"  exclaimed  Dennis,  as  loquacious  as  ever.  "  But  it's 
the  first  toime  I  ivir  saw  a  house  blown  up  with  gunpowdher." 

At  that  moment  we  heard  our  colonel's  voice,  urging  us  for- 
ward. With  a  fierce  cheer  we  dashed  over  the  burning  wood, 
and,  entering  a  side  street,  marclied  until  we  were  nearly  clear 
of  the  town.  There  had  been  some  mistake,  however,  for  we 
came  to  a  position  already  occupied  by  troops :  so  the  brigade 
faced  about,  and,  turning  down  a  narrow  lane,  started  towards 
the  right  near  the  river-bank.  This  movement  brought  our 
regiment  in  the  rear  of  the  column.  As  we  were  about  enter- 
ing the  lane,  an  aide  came  tearing  up  the  street,  wildly  gesticu- 
latinor  with  his  sword  as  he  leaned  over  his  horse's  head. 


120  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

"  Halt !  halt !  "  he  cried  on  coming  within  speaking  distance. 
"  For  God's  sake,  colonel,  bring  your  regiment,  and  follow 
me." 

The  order  was  i^romptly  obeyed;  and  away  we  went  after 
the  staff-officer,  wondering  what  new  peril  was  threatening.  As 
we  reached  the  main  street  leading  to  the  bridge,  I  caught 
sight  of  a  mob  of  men  running  disorderly  towards  us  down  the 
hill.     It  was  a  panic-stricken  regiment. 

"  Stop  them  !  for  Heaven's  sake,  stop  them  !  "  exclaimed  the 
aide  hoarsely.  "  Stop  the  cowards,  if  you  have  to  shoot  them 
down ! " 

"  Halt !  "  shouted  our  colonel  in  a  stern  voice.  "  Fix  bayo- 
nets I " 

The  rattle  of  steel  was  heard,  and  the  men  without  further 
orders  gathered  in  solid  line  to  receive  the  fugitives.  I  now 
saw  that  it  was  one  of  the  new  regiments ;  and  I  noticed  a 
mounted  officer,  probably  their  colonel,  riding  in  the  midst  of 
the  mass,  slashing  furiously  right  and  left  with  his  saber. 

Those  who  were  in  the  advance  saw  our  leveled  bayonets  bar- 
ring their  passage  to  the  river ;  but  it  was  too  late  for  them  to 
stop,  the  pressure  behind  being  so  great,  that,  despite  efforts  of 
our  men,  several  of  the  dazed  fools  were  impaled  on  the  rows 
of  glittering  steel.  For  a  second  our  column  of  veterans  gave 
way  before  the  impact  of  the  flying  regiment,  but  soon  recov- 
ered its  ground,  and  the  disgraceful  rout  was  checked. 

The  colonel,  evidently  an  old  army  officer,  was  fairly  beside 
himself  with  rage,  and  continued  to  ply  his  saber  savagely  on 
the  heads  of  his  men,  as  he  bitterly  cursed  their  cowardice. 
Finally  he  dropped  the  point  of  his  sword,  and  burst  into 
tears. 

"  My  God  !  I'm  disgraced  for  ever  !  "  he  exclaimed  in  a  chok- 
ing voice.  "  Curse  you,  for  a  lot  of  cowardly  curs !  You 
deserve  to  be  led  out  and  shot,  every  man  of  you." 

"  How  did  this  happen  ?  "  asked  Colonel  Lloyd.  "  Why 
did  they  break  in  this  shocking  way  ?  " 


AGAIN  IN  HARNESS.  121 

"  I  had  jnst  got  them  into  Ime  with  the  rest  of  our  brigade," 
replied  the  discomfited  commander,  "and  we  were  advancing 
in  tolerably  fair  shape,  when  a  shell  burst  over  the  battalion  on 
our  left,  and  knocked  over  a  score  of  men.  At  sight  of  this 
my  left  company  wavered,  and,  before  we  could  check  them, 
finally  broke,  and  ran  towards  the  rear.  The  whole  regiment 
followed  suit,  like  a  flock  of  sheep  going  over  a  wall.  If  you 
hadn't  happened  to  be  at  hand,  I  doubt  if  they  would  have 
stopped  this  side  of  the  river." 

"  Well,  don't  be  discouraged,"  said  Colonel  Lloyd  :  "  it's 
their  first  fight,  I  suppose.  When  they  really  get  under  fire 
they  will  do  well  enough." 

"  Curse  them  !  Only  let  me  get  the  cowards  fairly  within 
range,  and  I'll  take  them  into  the  very  jaws  of  that  hell  yon- 
der ! "  exclaimed  the  old  veteran  impetuously. 

"Colonel,  the  general  wishes  you  to  bring  your  regiment 
back  to  the  line,"  said  another  aide,  riding  up. 

"  How  the  devil  am  I  to  get  them  there  ?  They'll  be  all  run- 
ning away  again." 

"  I'll  help  you,"  replied  Colonel  Lloyd  quietly.  "  Just  you 
start  them,  and  we  will  follow." 

By  this  time  the  routed  regiment  had  partially  regained  its 
formation ;  the  men  apparently  beginning  to  be  ashamed  of 
themselves,  for  they  listened  to  the  vituperations  of  their  offi- 
cers in  abject  silence.  Obeying  the  command  of  their  colonel, 
the  battalion  broke  into  column  and  marched  up  the  hill,  we 
following  at  a  short  distance. 

I  could  not  help  pitying  the  poor  fellows  in  the  ranks,  for 
they  were  evidently  destined  to  be  severely  punished  for  their 
conduct.  By  stampeding,  many  a  man  now  moving  toward  the 
battle-field  had  sealed  his  own  death-warrant ;  for  I  knew  very 
well  that  the  regiment  would  be  pushed  forward  without 
mercy. 

Entering  a  side  street,  the  disgraced  regiment  moved  out  over 
the  field  beyond  the  town,  marching  in  tolerably  steady  order 


122  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

towards  the  position  assigned  it.  On,  on,  it  went.  A  gap  in 
the  line  opened,  bnt  the  doomed  battalion  passed  through.  A 
fierce  volley  of  musketry  burst  from  the  low  foot-hills,  and  I 
saw  the  regiment  begin  to  melt  before  the  terrible  storm  of 
bullets.  The  colonel  waved  his  sword  a  second,  then  reeled  in 
his  saddle,  and  fell  dead  beneath  his  horse's  feet.  It  was  a  ter- 
rible example,  but  a  necessary  one ;  but  sad  to  see  so  brave 
a  colonel  sacrificed  for  his  men. 

Colonel  Lloyd  now  gave  an  order,  and  we  started  back  to 
find  our  own  brigade,  but  were  again  stopped  by  instructions  to 
act  as  a  sort  of  provost-guard  in  the  streets  of  the  city  ;  the  bat- 
talion being  soon  scattered  by  detachments,  busily  employed  in 
protecting  property  and  driving  stragglers  towards  the  front. 

The  firing  along  the  main  lines  had  now  greatly  slackened, 
and  it  was  evident  that  some  change  was  being  made  in  the  dis- 
position of  the  assaulting  columns.  Heavy  bodies  of  infantry 
were  seen  moving  towards  the  extreme  left,  while  others  rein- 
forced the  center  under  Sumner.  It  grew  dark  soon  after,  and 
though  the  troops  were  in  constant  motion  far  into  the  night, 
they  moved  in  silence ,  the  only  sounds  that  came  to  the  ear 
being  the  pattering  shots  of  the  opposing  pickets,  as  they  kept 
up  an  aimless  fire  amid  the  darkness. 

Our  company  was  now  summoned  to  escort  some  prisoners 
to  the  rear,  so  we  saw  no  more  of  the  army  until  it  had  re- 
treated across  the  river.  We  were  thankful  for  our  escape, 
though  our  captain  grumbled  as  usual  because  we  had  missed 
the  disastrous  engagement  which  shattered  the  army  and  drove 
its  general  from  his  command. 


123 


CHAPTER  XI. 


'■  Behold  in  awful  march  and  dread  array 
The  long-extended  squadrons  shape  their  way." 

URNSIDE  had  been  succeeded  by  Hooker,  and 
the  winter  had  passed  quietly.      The  woods 
— '  0   and   forests  which  had  hidden  the  corps  and 
'  division  camps  when  first  established  had  now 
all  disappeared,  for  the  axes  of  the  soldiers  had 
swept  away  every  tree   and   shrub  for  their 
fires.     The  entire  country  was  bare,  not  even 
j^the   shade -trees   in   the   fields   being   spared. 
!<'  Barns,  out-houses,  fences,  trees,  all  were  gone  : 
even  the  gardens  were  obliterated.     The  rav- 
ages of  war  had  withered  every  thing. 

With  the  beginning  of  February,  signs  of  a 
new  campaign  became  visible.  Supplies  of  every  kind  poured 
into  the  lines  of  the  armies,  the  hospitals  were  rapidly  empty- 
ing, and  the  ranks  of  the  regiments  filled  up  amazingly.  Then 
the  grand  review  —  the  usual  prelude  to  a  general  movement  — 
took  place. 

It  was  a  clear,  warm  morning  when  our  brigade  started  for 
the  rendezvous  of  the  army  on  the  plains  of  Falmouth,  opposite 
Fredericksburg.  On  our  arrival,  we  found  the  entire  command 
on  the  ground,  preparing  for  tire  review.  The  plateau  selected 
sloped  gradually  to  the  river,  with  here  and  there  a  few  slight 
dips  in  tlie  ground  on  the  right.  The  cavalry  were  in  front 
ranged  in  solid  masses,  by  regiments  and  brigades ;  and  as  our 


124  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

regiment  took  up  its  allotted  position,  I  saw  that  the  infantry 
to  the  right  and  left  were  rapidly  forming  in  like  order.  There 
were  four  lines,  two  corps  in  each ;  the  regiments  standing  like 
blocks  with  their  colors  in  front,  while  the  batteries  of  artillery 
were  placed  in  the  open  spaces  between  the  divisions.  Our 
brigade  happening  to  be  stationed  on  the  highest  point  to  the 
left,  I  could  see  the  whole  army  as  it  stood  marshaled  in  grand 
array,  on  a  plain  fully  two  miles  square. 

The  sun  was  shining  bright  and  warm  as  orders  came  for  the 
men  to  rest,  the  slight  breeze  being  just  sufficient  to  stir  the 
heavy  silken  folds  of  the  regimental  colors  as  they  waved  in 
their  tattered  elegance.  It  was  a  scene  for  the  genius  of  a 
Vernet,  with  all  its  martial  glory,  and  wealth  of  color.  The 
bright  rays  of  the  sun  flashing  on  a  hundred  thousand  bayonets 
and  sabers,  as  they  were  moved  at  the  word  of  command ;  the 
picturesque  field-batteries,  the  dashing  cavalry,  and  the  long, 
dark  lines  of  infantry ;  the  parti-colored  banners  of  the  corjDs, 
division,  and  brigade  commanders,  bearing  their  strange  devices 
of  star,  crescent,  and  cross, — were  the  salient  points  in  this  liv- 
ing, animated  picture.  It  was  war  in  all  its  pomp  and  circum- 
stance ;  and  as  I  watched  the  sunlight  play  in  dalliance  on  the 
burnished  steel  of  gun-barrel  and  bayonet,  or  followed  with 
curious  eye  the  passage  of  the  clouds,  throwing  their  soft  shad- 
ows over  the  assembled  host  as  the  breeze  carried  them  swiftly 
over  our  heads,  I  began  to  feel  all  that  warm  delight  and  enthu- 
siasm that  comes  so  naturally  to  a  soldier  at  a  time  of  holiday 
and  parade.  Here  was  a  mighty  army,  ready  for  combat  and 
campaign,  marshaled  in  all  its  massive  strength  and  power.  As 
my  eye  wandered  over  the  striking  scene,  my  cheek  glowed  at 
the  brilliance  of  the  scene  and  the  magic  of  the  hour ;  though 
I  knew  this  grand  review  to  be  but  the  prelude  to  a  long  sum- 
mer of  fatigue,  danger,  and  privation. 

We  had  arrived  about  the  hour  of  noon ;  and,  so  well  timed 
were  all  the  arrangements,  there  was  no  confusion,  no  hesita- 
tion.    Regiments  and  brigades  and  divisions  formed  with  a  pre- 


A   FEINT.  127 

cision  due  to  long  practice  and  perfect  discipline,  so  that  the 
several  corps  fell  into  line  with  marvelous  rapidity.  As  we 
thus  prepared  for  the  final  ceremony,  I  could  see  on  the  heights 
beyond  Fredericksburg  (which  a  few  weeks  before  we  had  vainly 
tried  to  win)  long  brown  lines.  It  was  the  Confederate  Army 
of  Northern  Virginia  gazing  at  its  opponent  in  the  field.  There, 
no  doubt,  were  the  eyes  of  Lee,  of  Longstreet,  and  of  Jackson, 
all  fixed  upon  us.  Seldom  has  an  army  moved  in  review  before 
such  spectators.  There  was  no  battle  threatened,  though  the 
two  armies  were  face  to  face.  We  were  enjoying  the  brighter 
side  of  military  life :  the  darker  aspect  was  to  follow  in  the  near 
future.  Let  us  enjoy  our  holiday  while  it  lasts.  In  a  few 
weeks  we  must  meet  those  brave  men  in  butternut,  in  a  death- 
struggle.  Both  armies  were  equally  brave ;  and  while  the  one 
paraded  to  receive  the  President,  the  other  watched  with 
curious  eyes  the  splendor  of  the  pageant  unfolded  before  it. 
As  I  leaned  on  my  sword,  waiting  for  the  signal  that  was  to  tell 
us  that  the  review  had  commenced,  I  wondered  if  Tom  Mar- 
shall was  on  those  heights ;  and  my  thoughts  wandered  back  to 
the  happy  days  in  the  Valley,  and  I  saw  again  the  old  home- 
stead, the  sweet,  saucy  face  of  Kate.  Thus  meditating  on  the 
past,  and  the  change  that  had  taken  place,  I  was  recalled  to 
the  duties  of  the  present  by  the  report  of  a  field-piece.  It  was 
the  signal. 

On  the  extreme  left  of  the  front  line  I  had  noticed  a  tall  flag- 
staff, from  which  fluttered  a  huge  ensign.  As  the  sound  of  the 
gun  died  away,  the  flag  fell  and  rose  again.  Then  we  saw  the 
flash  and  smoke  of  another  cannon ;  and,  as  its  booming  came  to 
our  ears,  a  third  was  fired.  An  aide  now  went  galloping  along 
the  front  of  the  cavalry.  Next  the  bugles  sounded  the  "  boots- 
and-saddle "  call,  and  I  saw  the  eleven  thousand  horsemen 
mount  their  steeds.  Scarcely  had  the  lines  grown  steady,  when 
a  battery  stationed  near  the  river  began  firing  the  national  sa- 
lute. On  the  instant  we  heard  a  hoarse  command,  and  a  broad 
'flash  of  light  swept  along  the  cavalry  corps  as  the  men  drew 


128  BULLET  AND   SUELL. 

their  swords  from  their  scabbards.  Amid  the  smoke  of  the 
saluting  battery,  I  saw  a  tall  figure  on  horseback  ride  toward 
the  center  of  the  line.  It  was  the  President ;  and  at  his  side 
rode  an  officer  we  knew  to  be  General  Hooker,  while  behind 
them  galloped  his  brilliant  staff.  As  the  President  rode  forward, 
color  after  color  fell  in  obedience,  and  now  and  then  a  solitary 
sword  dropped  as  the  generals  tendered  their  salutes.  On,  on, 
galloped  the  brilliant  cortege,  until  the  rolling  ground  hid  it 
from  our  sight. 

Then  the  infantry  bugles  began  their  clamor,  and  our  lines 
grew  rigid.  When  the  President  came  riding  back,  there  were 
more  flashes  of  light  as  the  brigades  presented  arms,  and  the 
colors  waved  tumultuously  in  the  increasing  breeze.  Up  one 
line  and  down  the  other  galloped  the  chief  of  the  people,  and  I 
could  distinguish  Mr.  Lincoln's  face  as  he  drew  nearer  and 
nearer  our  line.  To  the  shrill  note  of  bugle,  and  the  measured 
roll  of  drum,  our  corps  now  stood  ready  to  give  salute. 

"Present  —  arms!"  cries  our  colonel  hoarsely;  and,  as  the 
men's  muskets  pass  from  their  shoulders  to  the  front,  I  lower 
the  point  of  my  sword,  and  for  a  moment  see  a  tall  form 
crowned  with  a  high  black  hat,  and  an  erect  soldierly  figure, 
gallop  past,  side  by  side ;  and  now  the  staff  go  thundering  by. 

"Shoulder  —  arms!"  and  the  men  remain  like  so  many 
statues,  until  I  hear  the  clatter  of  hoofs  behind  us.  As  these 
sounds  die  away,  the  order  to  rest  is  again  given,  and  we  watch 
the  closing  scenes.  By  and  by  the  cavalry  get  into  motion, 
wheel  SAviftly  into  column,  and  begin  counter-marching  to  the 
left.  Next  the  lines  of  infantry  break  into  column ;  and  an 
hour  after  our  own  turn  comes,  and  we  are  in  motion.  As  we 
reached  the  route  of  marching  review,  I  could  see,  over  the 
heads  of  my  men,  a  long  line  of  troops  extending  over  two 
miles  in  the  distance,  moving  toward  the  reviewing  stand.  At 
length  we  come  to  a  signal-flag.  We  are  approaching  the 
President  as  he  waits  to  see  the  army  march  by  in  solid,  im- 
pressive array. 


A   FEINT.  129 

"  Guide  right,  shoulder  arms  !  "  cries  our  colonel  over  his 
shoulder ;  and  a  minute  after  our  regiment  pushes  forward  with 
steady,  swinging  step.  Following  our  colonel's  example,  I  drop 
my  sword  in  salute,  and  once  more  catch  a  glimpse  of  the 
President's  face  as  he  raises  his  hat  in  honor  of  our  tattered, 
faded  colors.  Then  comes  the  order  to  quicken  our  steps ;  and, 
as  we  dash  on  at  a  headlong  pace,  we  know  the  review  is  at  an 
end  for  us. 

The  days  lengthened  into  weeks,  until  at  midnight  of  an 
April  Sunday  we  learned  that  the  long-contemplated  movement 
would  begin  at  daybreak.  The  campaign  had  at  length  com- 
menced, and  the  troops  were  in  high  spirits  as  they  prepared 
for  the  march.  Extra  ammunition  and  ten  days'  rations  were 
served  out :  so  we  knew  that  it  was  a  long  and  fatiguing  march 
we  were  entering  on. 

We  were  on  the  road  by  three  o'clock,  and  kept  moving 
forward,  with  few  halts,  until  four  in  the  afternoon  ;  having  by 
that  time  reached  the  summit  of  a  hilly  ridge  we  recognized 
as  leading  to  the  fords  on  the  upper  Rappahannock. 

"  I  say,  Wilmot,  I'll  have  to  sup  with  you  to-night,  for  that 
confounded  pack-horse  of  mine  is  somewhere  in  the  rear." 

"  All  right,  major :  you  are  quite  welcome,"  said  I. 

"  I  come  to  you,  Frank,  for  I  know  you  are  always  well  pro- 
vided," continued  Major  Harding,  throwing  himself  beside  the 
little  fire  where  Dennis  was  cooking  supper. 

"  Shure,  major,  ye  know  ye're  quite  welcome,"  said  Dennis. 
"  But  we've  only  got  some  fried  bacon  and  an  omalate  to  offer 

ye." 

"  Bacon  and  omelet !  why,  Dennis,  that's  a  supper  fit  for  a 
general,  let  alone  a  poor  major  who  has  lost  his  baggage.  But 
how  in  the  name  of  wonder,  Wilmot,  did  3'ou  manage  to  carry 
eggs  on  this  hurry-scurry  march  of  ours  to-day  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  I  know  nothing  about  it,"  I  replied.  "  I  am  so  accus- 
tomed to  Dennis's  surprises  that  I  positively  forgot  to  inquire. 
—  How  did  you  manage,  Dennis?    Tell  the  major  all  about  it." 


130  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Well,  ye  see,  major  clear,  whin  thim  ordhers  came  for  us  to 
move  last  night,  I  had  just  been  down  to  the  sutler's  and  got 
three  dozen  eggs;  and  as  the  leftinant  and  me  only  ate  a 
dozen  for  our  breakfast  at  daybreak,  why,  I  saved  the  rest 
for  our  supper ; "  and  here  Dennis  gave  his  frying-pan  a  turn, 
believing  that  he  had  fully  explained  the  whole  matter. 

"  But  how  did  you  save  them,  corporal?  You  couldn't  carry 
two  dozen  eggs  in  a  haversack  over  twenty  miles  without 
breaking  them  all,"  persisted  Major  Harding. 

"Shure,  I  broke  every  one  of  'em  before  starting:  they 
carried  safe  enough  after  that,"  replied  Dennis. 

"  Will  you  never  come  to  the  point  ?  "  said  I.  "  What  do 
you  mean  by  breaking  eggs  and  carrying  them  afterwards  ?  " 

"  Well,  ye  see,  leftinant  darlin',  I  broke  the  eggs  in  a  pan, 
and  thin  poured  them  into  a  canteen,  and  our  march  stirred 
them  up  illigantly  for  the  omalate ; "  and,  as  Dennis  spoke,  he 
gave  the  mess  a  clever  toss  in  the  air  to  turn  it. 

"Who  but  an  Irishman  would  have  hit  on  a  plan  like  that?" 
remarked  the  major,  taking  the  boiling  coffee-pot  off  the  fire. 

"It's  glad  I  am,  major,  that  you  think  all  Irishmen  aren't 
fools,"  said  Dennis,  dishing  up  the  rude  omelet. 

"  Fools !  "  replied  the  major,  "  I  never  saw  an  Irish  fool  in  all 
my  life.  No,  Dennis,  Irishmen  are  far  from  being  fools ;  though 
I  must  say  they  lack  wisdom  sometimes." 

"  That's  what  they  used  to  call  at  school  a  distinction  without 
a  difference,"  said  I.  "  But  come,  let  us  eat  Dennis's  canteen 
omelet  before  it  gets  cold." 

"  An'  don't  be  afi-aid  of  it.  Shure,  there's  more  left  where 
it  come  from,"  added  Dennis. 

"  Well,  major,"  said  I,  after  we  had  discussed  our  supper, 
"what  does  this  movement  mean?  " 

"  It's  intended  to  be  a  secret  at  present.  But  enough  has 
leaked  out  to  show  that  it  is  a  flank  movement  on  Lee's  posi- 
tion. We  are  to  be  joined  at  the  ford  above  by  the  Eleventh 
and  Twelfth  Corps." 


A   FEINT.  133 

"A  flank  movement,  eh?  Then,  that  accounts  for  our  early 
start  and  this  hurried  march,  our  small  supply-train,  and  so 
many  rations  on  the  men's  shoulders." 

"  Yes,"  assented  the  major ;  "  though  it  don't  explain  the 
absence  of  my  pack-horse." 

"  Oh  !  never  mind  :  he'll  turn  up  in  the  morning." 

"I  hope  so,  for  we  are  to  make  a  bold  push  to  reach  the 
Rapidan." 

"  The  Rapidan  !  why,  we  can  scarcely  do  that." 

"We  must.  General  Fletcher  said  those  were  the  orders. 
"We  are  to  cross  the  Rappahannock  at  Kelly's  Ford,  and  then 
make  a  forced  march  to  the  other  river.  If  we  succeed  in  doing 
what  is  laid  down  for  us,  Lee  will  be  surprised  in  more  ways 
than  one." 

"  I  hope  so,"  said  I.     "  It  would  be  a  splendid  stroke." 

"  Yes,  indeed.  But  I'll  bid  joii  good-night,  Frank :  I'm  in 
command  of  the  pickets  to-night." 

The  corps  was  roused  without  sound  of  bugle  or  drum  before 
daylight  the  next  morning ;  and  as  the  sun  began  reddening 
the  eastern  horizon,  we  were  already  on  the  road.  We  made  a 
long  and  painful  march  that  day,  over  a  rough  and  stony  road ; 
finally  halting  at  nightfall  a  mile  or  two  below  Kelly's  Ford. 
Our  start  the  third  morning  was  not  so  early ;  but  we  reached 
the  ford  by  nine  o'clock,  finding  the  other  corps  already  across 
the  river,  and  waiting  for  us  to  join  them. 

As  we  descended  the  long  winding  road  down  the  hill 
towards  the  pontoon-bridges,  I  saw  that  the  column  was  a 
complete  army  in  itself.  Besides  the  three  corps  of  infantry, 
I  could  discern  a  strong  force  of  cavalry  in  the  advance ;  and 
we  passed  some  of  the  reserve  artillery  as  we  stumbled  down 
the  steep  incline.  Here  were,  at  least,  fifty  thousand  men  of 
all  arms:  so  the  movement  was  indeed  an  important  one. 
Hurrying  across  the  frail  bridge,  our  corps  was  soon  bivouacked 
in  the  fields  reserved  for  us. 

While  the  men  were   thus  resting,   Gen.   Meade  made  his 


134  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

appearance  at  the  head  of  his  staff.  When  the  men  of  his  old 
corps  caught  sight  of  their  commander,  they  greeted  him  with  a 
joyous  cheer.  As  the  hurrahs  rose  in  the  still  morning  air,  they 
were  caught  up  by  the  other  corps,  and  repeated  with  vigor. 
The  general  seemed  surprised  at  first,  but,  soon  recovering  him- 
self, spurred  his  horse  forward  as  if  to  escape  the  enthusiasm 
of  his  troops ;  but  the  act  only  intensified  the  ardor  of  the 
welcome.  The  gray-haired  and  spectacled  veteran  then  rose 
erect  in  his  stirrups,  rode  proudly  through  the  surging  lines, 
and,  lifting  his  cap  high  above  his  head,  galloped  bareheaded 
out  of  our  sight.  The  scene  vividly  recalled  the  McClellan 
days  to  my  mind. 

But  there  was  no  time  for  cheers  or  ovations ;  for,  soon  after 
our  general  disappeared,  the  entire  force  was  put  in  motion. 
Our  corps  was  destined  to  strike  Ely's  Ford,  the  other  two 
being  headed  for  the  Germanna.  The  distance  across  the 
tongue  of  land  lying  above  the  junction  of  the  Rappahannock 
and  the  Rapidan  was  scarcely  twelve  miles  :  so  we  reached  the 
latter  stream  by  sunset,  halting  in  the  stony  road  for  our  pon- 
toon-train to  come  to  the  front.  The  stream  proved  too  strong 
for  our  frail  canvas  boats,  so  the  idea  of  a  bridge  had  to  be 
given  up.  Orders  were  accordingly  passed  along  the  line  for 
the  men  to  prepare  to  wade  the  river,  swollen  though  it  was. 
The  scene  that  ensued  was  a  hilarious  one.  Officers  and  men 
marched  sturdily  into  the  river,  until  nearl}^  all  were  breast 
high  in  the  cold  water ;  being  compelled  to  hold  their  weapons, 
ammunition,  and  food  above  their  heads. 

It  was  quite  dark  when  our  brigade  began  crossing.  Laugh- 
ing and  shouting  to  each  other,  the  men  plunged  into  the  icy 
water  as  though  they  were  schoolboys  on  a  frolic.  There  were 
no  lights  to  illumine  our  watery  path ;  and  as  I  waded  I  thought 
of  Bunyan's  description  of  the  River  of  Death  —  but  here 
Death  stood  waiting  on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  Many  a 
man  now  laughing  merrily  was  destined  to  fill  a  soldier's  grave 
in  the  tangled  woods  beyond. 


A   FEINT. 


135 


It  was  very  cold  as  we  emerged  from  the  water,  and  clam- 
bered up  the  steep  and  slippery  bank :  so  our  general  was  com- 
pelled, despite  the  needful  secrecy  of  our  movement,  to  permit 
fires,  in  order  that  his  men  might  be  in  condition  to  fight  on 
the  morrow.  We  had  gained  a  foothold,  however ;  and,  as  our 
presence  must  be  revealed  at  daylight,  a  few  hours  made  but 
little  difference. 

Gathering  fence-rails  and  brush-wood,  the  troops  built  big 


CROSSING   ELY'S   FORD,    RAPIDAN   RIVER. 

fires,  and  danced  merrily  in  the  grateful  heat.  Wild  shouts  and 
occasional  cheers  made  the  night  air  vocal ;  and  as  I  stood  dry- 
ing my  clothes  I  could  see  by  the  lurid  light  of  our  fires  that 
the  remainder  of  the  corps  was  still  making  the  passage  of  the 
river,  it  being  midnight  before  the  rearguard  got  across.  Up 
the  river  there  was  more  light,  showing  that  the  other  corps 
had  also  been  compelled  to  ford  the  stream. 

Finding  my  uniform  thoroughly  dried,  I  followed   Captain 


136  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

Burch's  example,  and  wrapped  myself  in  a  blanket  for  sleep. 
But  the  men  were  too  excited  for  rest,  and  they  gathered 
round  the  fires  discussing  the  movement. 

"  I  tell  ye  what  it  is,  b  yes,"  exclaimed  Dennis,  —  "  ould 
Meade's  a  trump.  Won't  Lee  wake  up  in  the  mornin'  whin 
he  hears  our  guns  bangin'  away  at  his  back  door  I " 

"  You're  right,  corporal,"  replied  Sergeant  Foster.  "  But 
I'm  afraid  they'll  see  our  fires." 

"  Well,  an'  fhat  if  they  do  ?  Shure,  Hooker  will  be  moving 
in  on  their  front.     Thin  we'll  have  the  Ribs  between  us." 

"Of  course  the  main  body  will  be  moving.  But  if  those 
bridges  hadn't  failed  us  we  would  not  have  needed  those  fires," 
replied  the  sergeant. 

"  Arrah  !  thin  we'd  have  missed  our  hot  coffee,"  said  Dennis. 

"  Bother  your  coffee  !  "  retorted  Foster.  "  Wouldn't  it  be 
better  to  lose  our  coffee  and  make  a  complete  surprise  ?  " 

"Stop  that  talking,"  exclaimed  Captain  Burch  pettishly. 
"You  men  had  better  go  to  sleep  instead  of  bothering  your 
heads  about  our  general's  plans." 

"  All  right,  cajitain  darlin' :  shure,  won't  we  find  it  all  out 
in  the  morning  ?  "  said  Dennis  ;  having,  of  course,  the  last  word, 
as  he  coiled  himself  before  the  fire,  and  lapsed  into  silence  and 
slumber. 

The  fires  began  to  smolder,  the  darkness  grew  heavier ;  and  I 
finally  fell  asleep  with  the  shouts  of  the  artillerists  and  wagon- 
drivers  sounding  in  my  ears  as  they  urged  their  horses  and 
mules  through  the  river.  When  I  awoke  again  the  sun  was 
shining  bright  and  warm  above  the  trees. 


FOREST  STRATEGY. 


137 


CHAPTER   XII. 


FOEEST   STRATEGY. 


'  Attempt  the  end,  and  never  stand  to  doubt : 
Nothing's  so  hard  but  search  will  find  it  out." 


HEN  our  column  got  in  motion,  after  a  hurried 
breakfast,  we  found  the  road  from  the  ford  in 
the  possession  of  the  artillery  and  our  trains : 
so  we  pushed  bodily  through  the  tangled  un- 
dergrowth on  either  side.  After  struggling 
,^  ^^^  forward  for  an  hour  the  corps  emerged  from 
IVSf]  ^..  the  labyrinth  of  vines  and  creepers  into  a  di- 
lapidated plank-road,  which  intersected  the 
dense  woods  on  a  line  as  straight  as  an  arrow 
for  two  or  three  miles  ahead.  Passing  a  clus- 
ter of  half-ruined  houses,  known  as  Robert- 
son's Tavern,  we  pressed  on  until  late  in  the 
afternoon,  when  the  command  was  ordered  into  bivouac  among 
some  young  oak-woods.  By  this  time  we  had  lost  all  trace  of 
our  bearings.  As  yet  there  were  no  signs  of  the  enemy,  so 
the  situation  was  becoming  both  exciting  and  interesting. 

The  next  day  was  Friday,  the  first  of  May,  and  the  fifth 
since  we  had  broken  camp  at  Falmouth.  It  was  evident  that 
the  expected  battle  Avould  soon  occur;  for  our  movements  were 
now  slow,  and  marked  with  caution  and  deliberation.  We 
were  early  on  the  move,  marching  slowly  up  the  road  for  a 
mile  or  two,  when  we  suddenly  entered  the  fields  around  the 
Chancellor  mansion,  where  I  learned  General  Hooker  had  estab- 
lished  his   headquarters.     Here  we  found   the    Second  Corps 


138  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

massed,  and  General  Fletcher  informed  us  that  the  Third 
would  probably  be  up  before  dusk. 

"  Then  this  is  the  main  body  of  the  army,"  I  remarked. 

"  Yes,"  replied  our  brigadier.  "  Being  largely  reinforced,  we 
have  changed  positions." 

"But,  general,  I  thought  we  were  to  attack  Lee  on  his 
flank," 

"  That  was  the  intention  when  we  crossed  the  river,"  replied 
the  general.     "  But  something  has  changed  the  plan." 

"  We  seem  to  have  wasted  much  valuable  time  since  we 
reached  this  side  of  the  river:  why  is  it?" 

"  Wiser  heads  than  j-ours  have  asked  that  question,  Wilmot. 
Even  generals  do  not  understand  it." 

The  column  now  began  moving  across  the  open  ground,  and 
our  brigadier  spurred  forward  to  his  position  in  the  line. 
Turning  sharply  to  the  left,  we  passed  the  Chancellor  House. 
On  the  piazza  stood  General  Hooker,  his  clean-shaven  face  wear- 
ing that  look  of  supreme  confidence  so  characteristic  of  the 
man.  Leaning  against  one  of  the  pillars  the  general  watched 
our  corps  march  past ;  but  he  received  no  greeting  from  the 
men,  for  there  was  a  feeling  in  the  ranks  that  a  valuable  oppor- 
tunity had  been  lost.  Citizen  soldiers  are  quick  to  perceive 
errors  and  resent  them ;  for  when  men  come  out  to  light  for 
principle  they  want  no  experiments,  and  will  not  tolerate  inde- 
cision or  timidity  on  the  part  of  their  leaders.  The  army  had 
begun  to  doubt  its  general,  so  it  was  not  surprising  to  see  a 
corps  pass  him  in  silence.  Once  across  the  fields,  we  entered 
a  road  that  pierced  a  bit  of  woods  on  the  right,  soon  after  cross- 
ing a  marshy  creek,  and  again  came  into  some  open  country. 

As  the  head  of  our  division  emerged  from  the  woods,  I  saw 
a  few  dots  of  smoke,  and  knew  from  the  sound  of  the  dropping 
shots  that  our  line  of  skirmishers  were  going  into  action.  In 
the  hollow  just  behind  them  I  noticed  the  first  division  under 
Griffin  forming  in  regular  line  of  battle.  General  Sykes,  our 
division  commander,  then  galloped  forward  to  select  our  position. 


FOREST  STRATEGY.  139 

we  following  him  on  the  rim.  Scarcely  had  we  quickened  our 
footsteps  than  the  guns  of  a  Confederate  battery  opened  a 
rapid  fire  on  our  advancing  column  from  the  edge  of  the  woods 
at  the  other  end  of  the  fields.  At  first  we  received  shells, 
which  flew  high  above  our  heads;  but  finding  the  distance  too 
short  they  sent  us  solid  shot,  almost  at  point-blank  range. 

Whiz  !  whiz  !  whiz  !  went  the  iron  balls  ;  and  a  dozen  heads 
near  me  involuntarily  ducked  as  the  flying  missiles  flew 
close.  Bang,  bang !  whiz,  whiz  !  now  the  shot  came  faster  and 
faster ;  but  they  did  no  harm,  so  the  men  trotted  along  with 
steady,  rapid  step.  At  last  the  gunners  got  the  range.  As  our 
regiment  passed  over  a  rise  in  the  road,  I  saw  that  the  shots 
had  taken  effect  ahead,  for  there  were  several  men  down ;  and 
when  we  reached  the  spot  where  the  balls  had  plunged  through 
the  ranks  of  the  leading  brigade,  there  were  six  or  eight  men 
lying  dead  in  the  roadway,  and  twice  as  many  writhing  in  the 
ditches  on  either  side.  But  it  was  no  time  for  faltering,  so  on 
went  the  division  at  a  headlong  pace. 

As  we  passed  these  dead  and  dying  men,  our  brigade  left  the 
road,  and  began  forming  in  line  of  battle  in  the  field ;  the  woods 
on  our  right  being  occupied  by  more  troops.  It  now  looked  as 
if  we  were  going  to  engage  the  enemy  in  earnest ;  for  the  skir- 
mishers were  firing  furiously,  and  our  batteries  began  shelling 
the  woods  in  front. 

"Halt!  Lie  down!"  cried  Colonel  Lloyd,  as  he  caught  the 
call  from  our  division  bugler.  We  Avillingly  obeyed  the  order, 
for  our  sharp  run  down  the  road  had  winded  the  men.  The 
rest  was  of  short  duration,  however :  for  the  lines  in  the  woods 
on  our  right  began  to  move  forward  ;  and  our  leading  division 
advanced  steadily  across  the  fields,  closely  following  the  skir- 
mishers, who  seemed  to  be  rapidly  driving  in  the  Confederate 
pickets.  We  were  soon  called  to  our  feet  again,  and  the  line 
marched  forward  in  support ;  the  third  division  coming  down 
the  road  and  taking  position  behind  us. 

"Lieutenant  Wilmot,"  said  Major  Harding,  as  he  galloped 


140  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

along  the  rear  of  our  regiment,  "the  colonel  desires  you  to 
take  a  few  men,  and  set  fire  to  that  hut  by  the  roadside :  Gen- 
eral Fletcher  thinks  it  helps  the  enemy's  batteries  to  get  our 
range.  Be  quick  about  it,  for  those  confounded  guns  are  doing 
a  great  deal  of  mischief." 

"All  right,  sir:  I  understand,"  was  my  reply  as  I  summoned 
three  or  four  files  to  fall  out  of  the  ranks.  Though  I  had  pur- 
posely omitted  calling  Dennis,  I  was  not  surprised  to  find  him 
at  the  head  of  my  little  party,  as  we  ran  towards  the  hut. 

"  I  didn't  call  you,  corporal.     Why  did  you  come  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Av  coorse  ye  didn't.  Shure,  didn't  ye  know  I'd  come  wid- 
out  callin'  ?  "  replied  Dennis  naively. 

"You  should  always  wait  for  orders.  You  are  constantly 
doing  the  wrong  thing." 

"  Arrah,  leftinant  darlin' !  don't  be  angry  wid  poor  Dinnis. 
Don't  ye  know  I'd  walk  through  fire  and  water  to  sarve  ye  ?  " 
And  the  cunning  fellow  spoke  in  the  wheedling  way  he  always 
adopted  when  found  fault  with. 

I  said  no  more,  finding  it  useless  ;  though  I  felt  provoked,  for 
it  had  become  a  recognized  fact  in  the  company,  that,  wherever 
Lieutenant  Wilmot  went.  Corporal  Malone  was  sure  to  be  near 
at  hand. 

We  had  only  a  short  distance  to  go,  and  on  reaching  the  hut 
of  course  found  it  empty  and  deserted.  It  had  evidently  been 
a  negro-cabin,  for  there  was  only  one  room  with  a  sort  of  rude 
loft  overhead.  The  logs  composing  the  walls  were  old  and  dry  ; 
and  my  men  busied  themselves  in  collecting  some  broken  fence- 
rails,  to  build  a  fire  near  the  chimney.  Standing  in  the  door- 
way, watching  the  progress  of  the  work  over  Dennis's  shoulder, 
I  was  startled  by  a  sudden  crash  on  the  roof,  —  a  few  of  the 
rafters  and  rough  shingles  tumbling  about  our  ears. 

"Marciful  powers  I  An'  what  was  that?"  exclaimed  the 
corporal,  ruefully  rubbing  his  cheek,  which  had  been  struck  by 
a  piece  of  a  broken  rafter. 

"It  was  another  of  those  troublesome  round  shot,"  said  I. 


FOBEST  STRATEGY.  141 

"  The  general  was  right  in  thinking  tins  shanty  a  fair  mark. 
Hurry  up,  boys,  and  get  a  fire  going." 

"  Begorra !  an'  if  that  ugly  bit  of  iron  had  come  in  at  the 
windy  instead  of  the  roof,  some  of  us  wud  be  dancing  a  jig  by 
this  time,"  remarked  Dennis. 

"  Or  lying  dead  on  the  dirt  floor,"  said  I.  "  But  there,  that 
will  do.  The  logs  are  in  a  blaze.  Come,  men,  let  us  join  the 
regiment." 

Scarcely  had  my  party  emerged  from  the  hut,  when  we  heard 
another  cannon-ball  go  whizzing  through  the  air,  followed  by 
a  crash  which  told  us  it  had  struck  the  blazing  hut.  This  time 
the  projectile  had  hit  the  side  wall,  and  torn  a  ragged  gap 
between  the  logs.  It  was  a  narrow  escape.  We  had  left  the 
hut  just  in  the  nick  of  time. 

"  The  saints  presarve  us,  but  we'd  the  blessed  own  luck  that 
toime!"  exclaimed  Dennis  as  we  all  involuntarily  shuddered, 
and  gazed  at  the  shattered  wall.  "Troth,  an'  that  hole  will 
make  an  illigant  draught  for  the  fire,  anyhow." 

"  The  deuce  take  you,  Dennis  !  "  said  I,  laughing.  "  Only  an 
Irishman  would  have  thought  of  that.  We  have  had  a  lucky 
escape,  men,  and  must  now  overtake  our  regiment  as  soon  as 
Ave  can ;  for  here  comes  the  third  division  on  our  heels." 

But  there  was  no  need  of  any  hurry:  for  before  we  reached 
our  command  the  line  had  halted,  and  did  not  advance  any 
farther ;  the  evident  intention  being  to  make  a  feint  in  strong 
force,  and  so  maneuver  for  position.  The  artillery-practice 
continued  for  half  an  hour  on  both  sides,  with  very  little 
result  in  casualties,  and  then  slackened  until  only  two  or  three 
of  our  guns  were  at  work.  While  leading  my  party  back  to 
the  regiment,  we  had  passed  over  the  abandoned  position  of  a 
battery  belonging  to  Gen.  Griffin's  division  ;  the  deep  furrows 
cut  in  the  sward  by  the  wheels  of  the  pieces  showing  that  it 
had  been  in  action  there.  A  broken  caisson  lay  on  the  ground, 
and  the  dead  body  of  an  artillerist  beside  it  told  the  story  of  a 
Confederate  shell.     The  sight  presented  by  the  torn  and  dis- 


142  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

figured  corpse  was  a  horrible  one,  but  we  had  no  tune  to  reflect 
upon  the  man's  fate. 

After  reaching  our  places  in  the  ranks,  there  was  a  great  deal 
of  marching  to  and  fro,  to  very  little  purpose  as  it  seemed  to 
us ;  and  it  was  quite  dark  when  we  were  given  an  opportunity 
to  rest,  finding  ourselves  among  some  young  pines  towards 
the  left  of  the  fields.  The  men  contented  themselves  with 
a  few  of  their  crackers,  no  fires  for  coffee  being  permitted. 
After  waiting  for  over  an  hour,  we  received  orders  to  fall  back 
to  the  creek  we  had  crossed  during  the  day ;  and  on  reaching 
it  the  corps  formed  in  line  along  its  banks,  the  others  march- 
ing to  the  rear,  straight  up  the  road  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  on 
the  crest  of  which  they  began  erecting  a  strong  line  of  breast- 
works. 

"  There'll  be  no  coffee  for  us,  jSIaster  Frank,"  said  Dennis,  as 
he  sat  beside  me  after  our  line  had  been  formed. 

"  Of  course  not,"  I  replied.  "  We  can  not  have  fires  :  they 
would  reveal  our  position." 

"  Well,  if  we  can't  have  hot  coffee,  we'll  be  contint  wid  cowld 
chocolate,"  responded  Dennis  mysteriously. 

"  What  do  you  mean  now,  Dennis  ?  Some  more  of  your 
commissariat  surprises  ?  " 

"  Shure,  a  cracker  and  a  chunk  of  chocolate  cake  will  be  bet- 
ter than  nothin'.  I've  got  a  bit  in  my  haversack  I  saved  for  a 
rainy  day  like  to-night ;  "  and  Dennis  handed  me  a  generous 
share  of  the  cake. 

"  Upon  my  word,  Dennis,  you're  a  genius  !  This  couldn't  be 
improved.  I  really  don't  know  how  I  should  fare  if  it  wasn't 
for  you." 

"Oh!  I'm  a  janius,  now,  am  I?"  replied  the  corporal  in  an 
injured  voice.  "  Than,  why  the  divil  do  ye  always  be  a-scoldin' 
av  me  because  I  always  thry  to  kape  near  ye,  loike  this  after- 
noon whin  we  burned  down  that  artillery  target  of  a  hut  ?  " 

"  Well,  well.  I'll  not  find  fault  with  you  any  more,  Dennis. 
But  now  that  you  are  a  corporal,  I  don't  think  it  quite  right  for 


FOREST  STRATEGY.  143 

you  to  be  my  cook.  You  know  I  can  not  induce  you  to  accept 
payment  for  the  service." 

"  An'  is  it  money  ye  wud  offer  nie  ?  Don't  ye  always  pay 
for  the  extras  we  get,  and  haven't  I  the  same  as  yersilf  ?  Share 
and  share  alike  was  yer  own  words.  Troth,  Master  Frank,  an' 
I'd  often  go  hungry,  as  the  rest  of  the  boys  sometimes  do,  only 
for  you." 

"  Oh !  if  you  balance  the  account  in  that  way,  I've  no  more 
to  say.  But  what's  this?  You  have  two  haversacks  now. 
One  seemed  enough  this  morning.  Where  did  you  get  the 
other  ?  " 

"  Why,  I  stumbled  against  it  down  the  road,  a  bit ;  an'  it's 
half  full  of  sugar." 

"  And  are  you  going  to  keep  it?  "  I  asked. 

"  How  the  divil  can  I  foind  the  owner  now  ?  "  he  cried.  "  It's 
an  officer's,  because  there's  so  much  sugar.  As  for  kapin'  it, 
there's  Bobby  Wilson,  he  lost  all  his  coffee  and  sugar  whin  we 
wint  swimmin'  in  the  river.  I'll  give  him  half  of  it,  and  share 
the  rest  among  the  boys.     But  I'll  kape  the  shpoon,  though." 

"Ah!  there's  a  spoon,  is  there?" 

"  Yis;  an'  an  illigant  silver  shpoon  it  is  too;  an'  it's  got  one 
of  those  things  on  the  handle,  we  used  to  see  on  the  quality's 
coaches  in  dear  ould  Dublin." 

"  I  suppose  you  mean  a  crest?  " 

"  Yis.     That's  it.     There's  a  crown  wid  a  shield  undher  it." 

"  A  crown  !  Then  it's  an  old  relic.  Was  probably  picked  up 
in  Fredericksburg  last  December." 

"Maybe  so,"  replied  Dennis:  "but  I  got  it  in  the  road,  so  I'll 
kape  it." 

At  that  moment  Colonel  Lloyd  walked  along  the  line,  caution- 
ing his  officers  to  keep  their  men  awake,  but  silent.  He  also 
directed  that  the  men  put  their  knapsacks  on.  This  was  proof 
to  us  that  an  attack  or  a  movement  was  anticipated. 

As  I  lay  on  the  carpet  of  decayed  leaves,  I  could  hear  the 
men   whispering   among   themselves,  their  half-distinct  words 


144  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

making  the  enforced  silence  all  the  more  oppressive.  Two 
hours  passed ;  and  I  was  almost  forgetting  the  order  about  keep- 
ing awake,  when  Dennis  clutched  my  arm. 

"  Hist,  leftinant !     Didn't  you  hear  any  noise  ?  " 

"  No.     Did  you  ?  " 

"I  thought  I  heard  a  twig  snap,  beyant  there,  across  the 
creek." 

"  You  must  have  been  half  asleep,  Dennis,  like  myself.  A 
broken  twig  don't  signify  much." 

As  I  spoke,  however,  the  sound  of  a  man  slipping  and 
floundering  into  the  water  could  be  distinctly  heard. 

"  There,  now ! "  exclaimed  Dennis,  "  I  knew  it  was  a 
man." 

"  It  must  be  one  of  our  stragglers  trying  to  find  the  road," 
I  replied. 

"  Now,  yeou  uns  !  North  Carry-lin-ians,  there  !  From  fower 
ranks  to  tew  ranks,  right  smart.  G-i-t-t !  "  cried  a  strange  voice 
among  the  trees  on  the  other  side  of  the  creek.  It  was  the 
Confederate  line  advancing  upon  us  I 

The  effect  was  electrical ;  for  on  the  instant,  and  with  one 
impulse,  the  men  of  our  brigade  sprang  to  their  feet,  and  poured 
a  sudden  and  murderous  volley  across  the  creek.  As  the  crash 
of  the  guns  died  away,  we  could  hear  infantry  precipitately 
retreating  among  the  trees  and  brush.  Then  followed  the 
groans  of  the  wounded. 

Our  brigade  volley  set  the  rest  of  the  corps  to  emptying  their 
muskets,  and  it  was  several  minutes  before  the  fire  slackened. 
As  we  received  no  counter  volleys,  it  was  evident  that  the  Con- 
federates had  been  misled  by  our  fires  on  the  hill,  and  walked 
unwittingly  into  our  line  while  forming  their  own.  As  our 
position  was  now  revealed,  orders  came  for  the  men  to  cut  clubs 
with  their  hatchets,  and  hammer  on  the  standing  timber.  This 
and  the  felling  of  a  few  trees  by  ax-men  made  a  very  good  imi- 
tation of  a  chopping-bee.  Whether  it  deluded  our  antagonists, 
or  not,  we  could  only  conjecture. 


FOBEST  STRATEGY. 


145 


Midnight  came  without  any  more  aLarms  or  musketry,  and 
we  received  orders  to  move  silently  to  the  rear. 

'•'  What's  up  now,  major  ?  "  said  I  as  my  old  friend  passed  me, 
while  the  men  were  getting  ready. 

"  We  are  going  to  fall  back,  and  take  a  fresh  position.  The 
main  line  is  on  the  hill,"  he  replied :  "  we  have  only  been  acting 
as  a  blind." 

"  There  seems  to  be  a  great  deal  too  much  of  these  feints  and 
blinds,"  I  remarked. 


PASSING   THE   SLEEPING   CORPS. 


"Why,  Frank  !  are  you  taking  a  leaf  out  of  Burch's  book?  " 
said  the  major. 

"  Oh  !  I'm  not  grumbling ;  but  the  men  are  not  fools,  and  they 
are  getting  tired  of  this  forest  strategy." 

"  Well,  well.  Let  us  be  patient.  Mind,  the  orders  are  to 
make  no  noise." 

The  movement  was  executed  very  silently.  So  careful  were 
the  men,  that  they  carried  their  tin  cups  in  their  hands  lest 
the  utensils  might  rattle  against  their  bayonets.  Stealthily  the 
fifteen  thousand  men  composing  the  Fifth  Corps  marched  up 


146  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

the  steep  hill,  leaving  no  sound  behind  them.  There  was 
something  Aveird  in  this  hurried,  silent  movement  of  so  many 
armed  men,  whose  muffled  tread  had  a  ghostly  sound.  There 
was  no  moon,  and  the  stars  were  hidden  by  clouds :  but  there 
was  sufficient  light  reflected  from  the  Avatch-fires  on  the  hill- 
top for  one  to  distinguish  the  outlines  of  the  trees  on  either 
hand ;  and  I  almost  fancied  there  were  leering  faces  on  their 
shadowy  trunks,  for  my  eyes  were  haggard  from  want  of  sleep. 
Half-way  iip  the  hill,  we  passed  a  new  picket-line ;  and  I 
ascertained  from  a  sentinel  that  it  belonged  to  the  Eleventh 
Corps.  On  the  crest  there  was  an  excellent  barricade,  behind 
which  the  main  line  of  the  corps  was  sleeping  in  long,  double 
rows.  Pushing  across  the  fields,  we  passed  some  more  troops 
lying  in  reserve,  and  next  half  a  dozen  batteries  snugly  parked. 
With  the  exception  of  a  few  sentinels  scattered  about  here  and 
there,  all  the  men  were  fast  asleep.  Leaving  these  dreaming 
warriors,  the  corps  now  entered  a  belt  of  pine-woods;  and, 
passing  down  a  narrow  road  for  nearly  a  mile,  we  went  into 
position  and  line-of-battle.  A  picket-line  was  thrown  forward; 
and  then  the  exhausted  men  flung  themselves  on  the  ground, 
and  slumbered. 


A   NIGHT  OF  TERROR. 


147 


CHAPTER   XIII. 


A   NIGHT   OF   TEKEOK. 


'  O  niglit !   when  good  men  rest,  and  infants  sleep, 
Thou  art  to  me  no  season  o£  repose." 


AWOKE  finding  the  day  far  advanced.  Every 
thing  had  been  quiet  along  the  lines  during 
the  night,  save  a  few  muttering  shots  from 
^,  some  distant  picket-post.  No  orders  had  been 
received ;  and,  hidden  as  we  were  among  the 
pines,  no  one  seemed  to  know  our  exact  posi- 
tion in  the  line,  while  a  few  impatient  spirits 
'  began  to  imagine  that  we  had  been  forgotten. 
To  me  the  prevailing  silence  was  oppressive ; 
for  I  could  not  forget  that  these  dense  and 
tangled  woods  contained  nearly  a  quarter  of  a 
million  of  men  ready  and  eager  to  fly  at  each 
Once  I  fancied  that  I  heard  distant  cannon- 
ading ;  but,  as  no  one  else  could  distinguish  the  sounds,  I  soon 
forgot  them. 

"Well,  Harding,  what's  the  news?"  said  Captain  Burch 
about  sunset,  as  the  major  strolled  over  to  where  we  were  lying 
on  the  crisp  pine-needles  carpeting  the  ground. 

"  Good  news,"  replied  the  major.  "  They  say  the  First  and 
Sixth  Corps  have  crossed  the  Rappahannock  below  Fredericks- 
burg, carrying  every  thing  before  them." 

"Then  that  was  cannonading  you  heard,  Frank,  after  all," 
remarked  Captain  Burch. 


others'  throats. 


148  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  I  thought  I  was  not  mistaken,"  said  I.  "  But,  major,  how 
far  have  they  carried  every  thing?" 

"  They've  already  taken  the  city  and  a  portion  of  the  heights 
beyond,  and  are  still  pressing  the  enemy  hard." 

"  Then,  why  the  devil  don't  we  get  to  work  here  ?  "  exclaimed 
the  captain,  finding  fault  as  usual.  "  Why,  we  haven't  fired  a 
single  shot  to-day,  and  scarcely  heard  one,  either." 

"  There's  a  good  deal  in  what  you  say,  Burch,"  replied  Major 
Harding.  "But  I  make  it  a  rule  never  to  criticise.  There 
may  be  good  reasons  for  this  inactivity.  We  don't  know  all 
the  circumstances  attending  our  movements." 

"  I  don't  care.     I  think  it's  a  "  — 

Neither  Major  Harding  nor  myself  heeded  the  close  of  Cap- 
tain Burch's  angry  exclamation  ;  for  at  that  instant  a  sudden 
and  terrific  crash  of  musketry  broke  out  on  our  right.  Judg- 
ing from  the  constancy  and  volume  of  the  volley,  it  was  quite 
evident  that  something  serious  had  happened. 

"What  can  that  be?"  said  the  captain,  forgetting  all  his 
spleen  in  the  surprise  of  the  moment. 

"A  sudden  assault  by  the  enemy,  no  doubt,"  replied  the 
major.  "  Well,  Burch,  you  can't  grumble  now  at  not  having 
something  to  do.  We  are  likely  soon  to  have  all  we  can  attend 
to.  By  Jove  !  that  musketry  is  simply  terrific,  —  awful  work 
going  on  somewhere  !     I  wonder  where  it  is.  " 

The  fusillade  of  small  arms  continued  with  unabated  inten- 
sity and  vigor  for  several  minutes  more,  until  it  seemed  to 
be  coming,  like  a  mighty  wave,  nearer  and  nearer ;  while  the 
racket  was  now  increased  by  rapid  cannonading.  Affairs  were 
beginning  to  look  serious,  and  both  officers  and  men  fell  into 
line  without  orders.  There  was  no  telling  when  we  should  be 
called  upon  to  assume  our  share  of  the  conflict.  As  we  stood 
silently  listening  to  the  roar  on  our  right,  an  officer  of  our  brigade- 
staff  rode  up,  his  horse  plunging  and  crashing  through  the  trees. 

"  Colonel  Lloyd,  we  are  to  move  to  the  right.  Please  make 
haste  !     The  whole  corps  is  in  motion." 


A   NIGHT  OF  TERBOE.  149 

"  By  the  right  flank !  forward  !  "  shouted  our  colonel,  "  double 
quick !  " 

We  obeyed  the  colonel's  order,  as  the  aide  disappeared  to 
repeat  his  instructions  down  the  line  ;  and  dashed  through  the 
trees  in  column,  the  low  dead  branches  of  the  pines  whipping 
and  cutting  our  faces  until  we  were  half-blinded.  Finally  we 
came  to  one  of  those  wide  paths  so  common  in  Virginia  woods  ; 
and  as  our  regiment  entered  it,  I  could  see  that  for  nearly  half 
a  mile  ahead  the  road  was  full  of  hurrying  troops.  Here  the 
pace  became  even  more  rapid;  and  our  colonel  seemed  half- 
mad  with  furious  excitement,  as  he  urged  us  to  make  more 
speed.  Something  terrible  must  have  happened  to  cause  this 
headlong  rush  of  the  corps. 

"  I  say,  Wilmot,  what  can  be  the  matter  ?  "  gasped  Captain 
Burch  as  we  ran  panting  side  by  side  together. 

"  Why,  the  enemy  must  have  come  up  in  heavy  force  from 
some  unexpected  quarter,"  I  replied,  fairly  out  of  breath  with 
our  long  hard  run. 

"  They're  always  doing  something  of  that  sort,"  grumbled 
the  captain. 

"  Keep  moving,  boys,  keep  moving ! "  cried  Major  Harding 
cheerily,  as  he  swerved  his  horse  to  avoid  trampling  upon  an 
exhausted  man  who  was  falling  out  of  the  ranks. 

"Troth,  major,  we're  not  letting  much  grass  grow  undher 
our  feet,  anyway,"  replied  Dennis  hoarsely,  the  sally  causing 
a  laugh  among  the  men. 

The  musketry  increased  in  vigor  and  fury  as  we  proceeded, 
and  I  knew  that  in  a  few  minutes  more  we  should  be  on  the 
scene  of  conflict.  The  rapid  firing  of  the  batteries,  the  cease- 
less rattle  of  small  arms,  and  the  shrieks  of  flying  shells,  gave 
ample  token  of  the  severity  of  the  engagement :  so  it  must  be 
a  moment  of  peril  for  our  army. 

All  of  a  sudden  the  road  ended  in  a  bit  of  open  ground,  and 
the  next  moment  our  regiment  was  in  the  midst  of  a  harrowing- 
scene  of  confusion  and  terror. 


150  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

The  field  was  the  same  we  had  crossed  during  the  previous 
night,  when  abandoning  our  masking  position  on  the  creek. 
Then  we  had  moved  diagonally  over  it  towards  the  left  of 
Hooker's  line :  now  we  came  out  into  a  sort  of  pocket  where 
the  woodmen  had  cut  a  little  deeper  into  the  forest.  In  this 
sheltered  field  lay  several  batteries  of  our  artillery,  evidently 
a  part  of  the  reserve,  all  huddled  confusedly  into  one  corner. 

Rushing  impetuously  into  the  open  ground,  we  found  our 
passage  impeded  by  tumultuous  masses  of  disordered  troops, 
struggling  furiously,  madly,  among  themselves.  It  was  not  yet 
dark:  so  I  could  see  that  here  in  this  nook  were  thousands 
upon  thousands  of  panic-stricken  men,  fugitives  who  had  broken 
in  the  presence  of  the  enemy,  acting  more  like  a  flock  of  fright- 
ened sheep  in  a  pen  than  trained  soldiers.  Many  had  thrown 
aside  their  weapons  in  their  frenzied  flight,  each  man  only 
intent  on  his  own  temporary  safety.  It  was  part  of  the 
Eleventh  Corps,  which  being  taken  in  flank  had  fallen  back  in 
dire  disorder. 

Looking  over  the  heads  of  these  frenzied  men,  I  saw,  in  the 
red  light  which  follows  sunset,  the  Confederate  lines,  as  they 
coolly,  steadily  advanced  over  the  field  to  seize  their  expected 
prize,  the  field-guns  and  the  broken  division.  But  they  were 
too  late ;  for  at  that  moment  the  old  Fifth  Corps  tore  its  way 
through  the  mob  of  fugitives,  and  faced  the  enemy  in  solid 
line  of  battle. 

It  was  a  terrible  task,  though,  to  push  as  we  did  through 
the  confused  mass  of  panic-stricken  men;  and  I  remembered 
afterwards  that  more  than  one  musket  had  been  clubbed,  and 
used  to  clear  a  path  for  our  advancing  columns.  Though  they 
were  our  comrades,  the  men  of  the  Fifth  knew  that  they  had 
put  the  army  in  sudden  peril,  and  so  for  the  moment  treated 
them  as  enemies. 

The  right  of  our  corps,  being  the  first  to  arrive  on  the  scene 
of  disaster  and  dismay,  of  course  bore  the  brunt  of  the  des- 
perate hand-to-hand  struggle  which  ensued.     When  our  brigade 


A   NIGHT  OF  TERROR.  153 

came  up,  we  were  sent  to  the  center  of  the  large  open  field  to 
support  the  artillery ;  and  a  weary  tune  we  had  of  it.  But  the 
Confederate  advance  had  by  this  time  been  checked :  the  aban- 
doned breastworks  were  partially  retaken  and  held. 

Nothing  is  more  trying  to  the  nerves  of  even  a  veteran  soldier 
than  a  furious  battle  at  night.  The  darkness  conceals  the  foe, 
and  adds  to  the  difficulty  of  executing  the  necessary  move- 
ments. Uncertainty  and  doubt  weigh  upon  the  hearts  of  the 
bravest;  while  the  impossibility  of  ascertaining  your  precise 
position  increases  the  sense  of  danger,  which  becomes  exagger- 
ated because  unseen.  Laboring  under  these  influences,  as  the 
brigade  stood  to  arms  in  the  field,  I  became  oppressed  by  a 
dread  I  could  not  easily  shake  off.  It  was  indeed  an  aAvful 
moment.     "What  the  end  would  be,  no  one  could  tell. 

It  soon  grew  quite  dark,  the  stars  being  hidden  by  the  sul- 
phurous clouds  of  smoke  that  enveloped  the  battle-field ;  and 
our  eyes  were  blinded  by  the  frequent  flashes  of  the  guns  as 
they  maintained  an  incessant  shelling  of  the  woods  in  front. 
It  Avas  curious  to  see,  as  the  scene  was  illuminated  by  these 
rapid  artillery-discharges,  the  frantic  efforts  of  the  officers  in 
the  shattered  corps,  as  they  strove  to  restore  order  and  disci- 
pline among  their  men.  They  made  but  little  progress,  how- 
ever ;  and,  a  body  of  cavalry  coming  up,  both  officers  and  men 
were  driven  into  a  corner,  and  held  there  until  daylight. 

As  we  took  our  position  behind  the  batteries  going  into 
action,  I  began  to  think  that  we  were  being  surrounded ;  for 
shells  sputtered  and  hissed  over  our  heads  from  almost  every 
point  of  the  compass,  until  it  seemed  that  the  missiles  would, 
the  next  minute,  come  tearing  through  our  ranks  from  the 
rear.  But  I  soon  lost  all  sense  of  danger  amid  the  sights  and 
sounds  around  me.  The  deafening  roar  of  cannon,  the  fierce 
though  monotonous  rattle  of  musketry,  the  detonations  of 
exploding  shells,  and  the  crash  of  falling  trees,  made  a  hellish 
Babel  of  sounds ;  yet  there  was  a  strain  of  music  in  the  dread- 
ful din  that  accorded  with  the  scene  and  the  hour.     Under  the 


154  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

crash  and  swell  of  this  mighty  orchestra  of  war,  there  was  an 
undertone  equally  trying  to  the  nerves.  Fierce  curses  were 
uttered  by  excited  officers  as  they  gave  their  hoarse  commands, 
and  with  them  there  came  to  my  ears  the  pitiful  cries  of  the 
wounded  who  were  falling  all  around  me  in  the  darkness. 

Leaning  on  my  sword,  listening  to  all  these  discordant 
sounds,  the  groan  of  one  of  our  men,  dying  almost  at  my  side, 
thrilled  me  with  its  mournfulness.  Once  I  was  thoroughly 
startled  by  the  screams  of  a  disabled  and  plunging  horse 
attached  to  one  of  the  caissons  just  in  front  of  our  regiment. 
It  was  indeed  a  night  of  terror.  For  three  long  hours  we 
stood  thus,  in  the  very  midst  of  a  passionate  combat,  passive, 
yet  ready  to  act,  losing  men  every  moment,  but  firing  no  shot 
in  return.  At  length  the  woods  caught  fire  from  the  shells, 
thus  adding  a  new  element  to  the  scene  of  destruction  and 
carnage. 

"  My  God  !  this  is  awful  work,  Wilmot !  "  exclaimed  Captain 
Burch  in  an  awed  tone.  "  Here  we  stand  idly  waiting  to  be 
shot  down  like  cattle.  Curse  those  cowards !  A  pretty  pickle 
they've  put  us  into  !  " 

"  You  ought  to  be  happy,  Burch,  at  having  so  much  good 
reason  for  grumbling,"  said  I. 

"  There's  altogether  too  much  to  grumble  about.  I  don't 
like  such  large  doses." 

"  By  the  right  flank,  forward  !  "  cried  out  our  colonel. 

We  obeyed  the  order,  and  moved  a  little  farther  to  the  right; 
but  soon  after  the  regiment  was  sent  back  to  the  left.  As  we 
halted  the  second  time,  a  fresh  battery  dashed  up,  and  unlim- 
bered  on  the  ground  we  had  just  abandoned.  Bang,  bang ! 
went  two  or  three  of  the  pieces,  the  increasing  clamor  deafen- 
ing me.  The  battery  discharged  its  guns  with  great  rapidity  ; 
and  as  the  men  loaded  by  the  light  of  their  own  pieces  I  saw 
that  they  were  firing  at  point-blank  range,  showing  that  the 
enemy's  lines  were  close  at  hand.  Using  shell  and  solid  shot 
at  first,  the  gunners  soon  began  throwing  grape  and  canister 


A   NIGHT  OF  TERROR.  155 

into  the  edge  of  the  woods ;  and  orders  were  passed  down  our 
line  to  form  and  stand  steady.  Twenty  minutes  passed  with- 
out any  volleys  from  Confederate  rifles,  and  the  battery  was 
withdrawn  with  the  same  celerity  observable  when  it  went 
into  action.  As  it  disappeared,  our  brigade  moved  obliquely 
forward  to  take  its  place ;  and,  as  we  did  so,  I  stumbled  over 
the  body  of  a  man  that  had  been  crushed  out  of  shape  by  the 
ponderous  wheels  of  the  retiring  guns.  While  we  were  thus 
engaged,  two  other  batteries  on  our  left  wheeled  their  pieces 
round  to  the  right,  and  began  a  furious  shell  practice  across  our 
front ;  the  hissing  of  the  balls  being  startlingly  distinct. 

"  Now,  men,  steady !  "  shouted  our  brave  colonel  in  the  dark- 
ness.    "  When  you  get  the  word,  remember  and  fire  low." 

As  he  spoke,  a  shell  burst  over  his  head ;  and,  before  the  light 
was  extinguished,  we  saw  both  horse  and  rider  go  down.  A 
cry  rose  from  the  ranks ;  but  it  was  soon  checked,  for  our  ears 
were  gladdened  by  the  sound  of  Colonel  Lloyd's  voice  as  he 
disentangled  himself  from  the  dead  animal. 

"  I'm  all  right,  boys,"  he  shouted  cheerily,  his  words  being 
drowned  by  a  spontaneous  cheer. 

At  that  moment  Major  Harding  rode  up,  and  surrendered  his 
horse  to  the  colonel,  who  at  once  remounted,  and  controlled  the 
enthusiasm  of  the  regiment. 

All  at  once,  and  without  warning,  we  received  a  volley  of 
musketry  right  in  our  faces,  and  a  score  or  two  of  the  men  fell 
beneath  it.  Kneeling  quickly  at  the  order,  we  began  pouring 
in  a  steady,  merciless  fire  towards  the  woods.  The  cross-fire 
of  our  artillery  was  now  redoubled  in  fury  and  intensity ;  but, 
a  few  minutes  after,  orders  to  stop  firing  were  given. 

There  now  seemed  nothing  more  for  us  to  do ;  the  Confeder- 
ates changing  front,  and  renewing  their  assault  farther  down 
the  line.  So  we  lay  in  position  during  the  remainder  of  the 
night,  listening  with  curious  ears  to  the  progress  of  the  battle 
as  it  ebbed  and  floAved  around  us.  I  longed  for  the  daylight, 
even  if  it  brought  with  it  a  fiercer  struggle ;  for  then  we  should 


156  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

at  least  be  able  to  see  our  antagonists,  and  so  lose  the  feeling 
of  uncertainty  which  now  oppressed  every  heart.  Standing  in 
the  midst .  of  the  fight,  we  remained  silent  under  the  shells 
thrown  into  our  devoted  ranks  by  distant  and  unseen  Con- 
federate batteries,  our  own  guns  maintaining  their  part  in  the 
stubborn  midnight  duel. 

Sitting  down  on  the  cold  earth,  I  at  length  fell  asleep  from 
exhaustion  and  fatigue,  desj)ite  the  turmoil  prevailing  all  around 
me.  I  did  not  wake  again  until  rudely  shaken  by  Dennis,  who 
thus  warned  me  that  the  regiment  was  moving.  As  I  fol- 
lowed the  command  off  the  field,  in  the  gray  of  the  morning, 
I  noticed  one  of  my  men  still  sitting  on  the  ground.  Going 
up  to  rouse  him,  I  was  shocked  to  find  him  dead,  his  breast 
torn  open  by  the  fragment  of  a  shell. 


BEATEN  DOWN. 


157 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


BEATEN   DOWN. 


"  The  beaten  soldier  proves  most  manful 
That,  like  his  sword,  endures  the  anvil.' 


N  reaching  the  edge  of  the  woods  we  met  the 
Third  Corps  coming  up  a  road  that  led  to 
United-States  Ford.  Reynolds  and  his  men 
had  marched  all  night  from  Fredericksburg, 
and  I  learned  from  one  of  the  soldiers  that 
Sedgwick's  corjjs  was  now  all  alone  on  Burn- 
side's  old  battle-field.  So  it  was  clear  that 
Lee  had  changed  front,  and  was  in  full  force 
in  these  interminable  woods.  We  had  only- 
seen  the  beginning  of  the  struggle:  the  hard- 
est part  was  yet  to  come. 

Knowing  this,  the  silence  prevailing  at  the 
moment  was  ominous.  Even  the  pickets  were  hushed,  and  it 
seemed  as  if  both  armies  were  sleeping.  Rubbing  my  eyes 
to  keep  awake,  I  could  scarcely  realize  that  we  had  passed 
through  so  noisy  and  turbulent  a  night.  Though  I  was  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  ghastly  evidences  of  battle,  our  struggle  in 
the  darkness  seemed  more  like  a  phantasmal  dream  than  stern 
reality.  Weary  and  sleepy  I  staggered  on,  careless  alike  of  the 
present  and  the  future. 

"  Where   are  we  going  now,  major  ?  "  said  Captain  Burch,  as 
our  old  friend  appeared  on  foot  beside  us. 

"  We  are  to  act  on  the  reserve  again,"  he  replied.     "  Having 
had  such  a  hard  night  of  it,  I  suppose  .they  consider  the  corps 


158  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

entitled  to  a  rest.  It  won't  be  a  very  long  one,  I  fancy ;  for 
things  don't  look  altogether  right,  to  my  mind." 

"Why,  major!"  I  exclaimed  banteringly,  "you  are  borrow- 
ing a  page  from  Burch's  book  now.  Surely  you  are  not  getting 
discouraged  ?  " 

"  '  Discouraged  '  is  not  the  word  :  '  anxious'  would  be  better. 
You  know,  Wilmot,  I'm  not  given  much  to  croaking ;  but  we 
are  now  acting  entirely  on  the  defensive,  which  seems  strange 
after  our  successful  flank  movement.  I  can  not  understand  it," 
and  the  major  shook  his  head  mournfully. 

"  I  must  confess  to  the  same  feeling,"  said  I.  "  There  seems 
to  have  been  a  sad  bungle  somewhere." 

"  You  have  just  hit  it,  Frank.  '  Bungle  '  is  the  only  word  for 
it.  We  do  seem  to  have  the  worst  of  luck,  and  always  get 
tied  up." 

"  That's  because  our  generals  waste  so  much  time  getthig 
ready,"  said  Captain  Burch. 

"  There's  some  truth  in  that,"  replied  the  major. 

"  Oh,  well !  it's  not  our  fault,  so  we  must  make  the  best  of 
it,"  said  I.  "  You  are  a  little  out  of  sorts,  major,  being  on  foot 
again." 

"  Perhaps  so,"  he  replied,  laughing.  "  I  confess  I  do  feel  a 
little  out  of  my  element,  off  my  horse  ;  but  Colonel  Lloyd 
needs  him  now  more  than  I  do." 

"  You  came  near  being  made  a  lieutenant-colonel  last  night," 
said  I.     "  That  was  a  narrow  escape  for  our  colonel." 

"  It  was  a  close  shave,  indeed.  But  I  don't  want  any  pro- 
motion to  come  through  my  friends'  death." 

Neither  Major  Harding  nor  myself  thought  that  one  year  later 
he  would  find  himself  suddenly  made  a  colonel  on  that  very 
ground.     The  future  is  mercifully  hidden  from  mortal  eyes. 

Our  division  now  formed  the  extreme  left  of  the  corps,  and 
the  rear  of  our  column  had  just  entered  the  woods  when  we  were 
ordered  to  lie  down  under  the  trees  in  line  of  battle.  Worn 
out  as  they  were,  the  men  gladly  obeyed ;  and  in  a  few  minutes 


BEATEN  DOWN. 


159 


scarcely  one  of  the  fifteen  thousand  was  awake.  As  for  my- 
self, I  had  barely  stretched  my  limbs  on  the  carpet  of  dead 
leaves  when  my  eyes  were  locked  in  tired  slumber. 

How  long  I  slept,  I  know  not ;  but  when  awakened  suddenly 
by  a  tremendous  volley  of  musketry,  the  sun  had  risen  high  in 
the  heavens.  So  great  was  the  crash,  1  almost  fancied  I  felt 
the  ground  quake  under  me.  The  outburst  had  brought  the 
whole  corps  to  its  feet;  and  as  we  stood  listening  to  the  fearful, 
vengeful  rattle  of  small  arms,  we  knew  that  the  enemy  was 


AKTILLERY   GOING  INTO   ACTION. 


again  making  a  desperate  effort  to  pierce  our  lines.  Precisely 
where  the  attack  was  being  made,  I  could  not  at  first  determine, 
for  our  movements  during  the  night  had  confused  me.  It  was, 
however,  quite  near :  that  was  certain.  For  several  minutes  the 
corps  stood  listening  with  bated  breath  to  the  awful,  rolling 
sound,  yet  it  lost  none  of  its  incessant  vigor :  on  the  contrary, 
it  grew  in  volume  until  fully  fifty  thousand  muskets  were  en- 
gaged. The  minutes  went  on :  yet  at  the  end  of  an  hour  the 
terrible,  incessant  volley  continued,  the  roar  of  the  battle  being 


160  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

made  more  maddening  by  terrific  cannonading.  Being  liidden 
in  the  woods,  we  could  see  nothing ;  and  tliougli  accustomed  as 
we  were  to  being  held  on  reserve,  I  felt  my  nerves  thrill  at  the 
painful  suspense. 

"  Be  the  powers,  leftinant !  an'  that's  a  moighty  big  scrim- 
mage going  on  bey  ant,  wherever  it  be  !  "  ejaculated  Dennis,  as 
he  eased  his  knapsack  against  a  tree. 

"  You  are  right,"  I  replied :  "  there's  desperate  work  afoot. 
That  musketry  is  very  heavy." 

"  Where  is  it,  anyway  ?  "  queried  the  corporal. 

"I  know  as  little  as  yourself;  but,  as  near  as  I  can  judge,  it 
must  be  where  we  lay  all  night." 

"•  Begorra  I  an'  it  wasn't  much  laying  down  we  did  lasht 
noight,"  grumbled  Dennis.  "Shure,  it  was  the  divil's  own 
dance  we  had  of  it,  from  first  to  last." 

The  musketry  now  became  even  heavier  and  more  fierce  than 
before  :  the  battle  seemed  to  be  coming  nearer  and  nearer.  So 
long  a  time  had  elapsed  since  it  began,  the  affair  was  becoming 
monotonous.  The  men  were  now  lying  down  again,  some  of 
them  even  asleep,  despite  the  convulsion  of  arms  going  on 
barely  half  a  mile  away. 

"  Come,  Wilmot,"  said  Major  Harding :  "  let  us  go  to  the 
edge  of  the  woods,  and  see  what  is  going  on." 

We  passed  up  the  road  to  the  left  of  the  brigade ;  finding  our- 
selves, in  a  few  minutes,  on  the  wide  field,  among  a  group  of 
officers,  all  watching  the  movements.  As  the  major  and  myself 
emerged  from  the  woods,  a  couple  of  our  corps  batteries  came 
thundering  up,  and,  passing  us  at  a  hard  gallop,  speedily  un- 
limbered  on  the  open  ground.  A  minute  after  the  guns  opened 
a  shell  fire,  at  long  range,  over  the  tops  of  the  trees  in  front, 
their  trunks  hidden  by  a  great  bank  of  smoke.  The  entire  field 
was  now  a  scene  of  terrible  confusion.  Ammunition-wagons 
were  being  hurriedly  unloaded  in  the  center,  the  boxes  of  car- 
tridges moving  on  men's  shoulders  in  the  direction  of  the  en- 
gaged line ;  while  hundreds  of  wounded  men  were  streaming  to 


BEATEN  BOWN.  161 

the  rear,  a  long  string  of  stretchers  accompanying  them. 
J^either  the  major  nor  myself  could  distinguish  the  troops  at 
work ;  for  the  ground  was  covered  by  a  dense  white  smoke,  the 
line  of  breastworks  being  marked  only  by  a  fierce  and  angry 
light  playing  through  the  sulphurous  vapor.  It  was  the  con- 
stant flash  from  thousands  of  muskets,  and  so  continuous  was 
the  fusillade  that  the  flame  never  died  entirely  away.  As  we 
looked,  a  brighter,  blinding  light  appeared  for  an  instant  in  the 
field,  and  I  knew  that  one  of  the  ammunition-wagons  had  been 
set  on  fire  by  a  Confederate  shell.  The  air  was  a  moment  after 
filled  with  a  perfect  cascade  of  fragments :  the  body  of  a  man 
rose  amid  the  flame  and  smoke  enveloping  the  vehicle,  and  then 
came  tumbling  headlong  to  the  ground.  The  horses  attached 
to  an  empty  wagon  near  us  took  fright,  dashing  wildly  into  the 
woods,  their  progress  only  being  stopped  by  the  trees ;  while 
the  ill-fated  driver  was  hurled  from  his  seat,  and  killed. 

Still  there  was  no  slackening  in  the  murderous  musketry, 
the  struggle  increasing  in  fury  until  the  woods  in  which  the 
opposing  lines  were  fighting  actually  caught  fire.  A  blinding 
smoke  soon  covered  the  whole  field,  and  penetrated  the  entire 
forest.  Among  the  trees  beyond  where  the  wagon  had  been 
wrecked,  two  or  three  dozen  coatless  surgeons  were  at  work, 
their  arms  bare  to  the  shoulder,  all  busy  at  their  horrid  task  of 
amputation.  Rude  tables  had  been  erected  in  irregular  rows, 
and  on  each  lay  a  mutilated  soldier  losing  a  part  of  his  shat- 
tered and  bleeding  body.  Groans  and  piteous  cries  resounded 
in  these  forest  shambles.  It  seemed  as  if  hell  itself  had  come 
on  earth  for  a  time. 

"  Those  fellows  of  ours  are  fighting  manfully,  aren't  they  ?  " 
said  Major  Harding  to  me. 

"  Yes,  indeed.  The  attacking  force  must  be  a  strong  one.  I 
wonder  why  they  don't  order  us  up." 

"  All  in  good  time :  we'll  have  our  share  before  long.  The 
battle  has  scarcely  begun." 

"  But  those  men  can  not  stand  that  sort  of  thing  all  day." 


162  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

"No,"  replied  the  major;  "neither  can  the  Confederates. 
Unless  our  line  gives  way  soon,  Lee  will  be  compelled  to  slacken 
his  fire  and  withdraw  his  troops.  But  come,  Wilmot,  we  must 
not  stay  here :  our  corps  may  soon  be  moving." 

Orders  for  us,  however,  never  came ;  the  corps  lying  there 
idle  all  day.  For  four  long  hours  we  sat  and  listened  to  the 
ceaseless  musketry,  it  abating  no  jot  of  its  angry  fury.  The 
flames  in  the  woods  spread,  until  the  smoke  became  so  suffocat- 
ing that  we  were  compelled  to  hug  the  earth  for  air  to  breathe. 
Still  the  battle  continued.  Though  it  had  been  begun  at  eleven 
o'clock,  and  my  watch  now  told  the  hour  of  three,  there  were 
no  signs  of  the  conflict  ending.  About  four  o'clock  the  firing 
began  losing  its  strength.  Once  broken  in  volume,  the  volleys 
slackened  rapidly,  and  there  came  brief  lulls,  followed  by  fiercer 
outbreaks.  We  knew  that  the  battle  was  nearing  its  end. 
Was  it  a  victory,  or  a  defeat,  for  the  Federal  side  ? 

The  lulls  in  the  musketry  grew  more  and  more  frequent,  the 
artillery  paused,  and  finally  there  came  a  period  of  comparative 
silence.  At  this  moment  the  Third  Corps  appeared  in  the  road 
on  our  front,  when  we  learned  that  a  part  of  our  established 
line  had  been  abandoned.  The  men  were  wear}^,  and  they  told 
us  of  heavy  losses.  Their  faces  were  blackened  by  powder,  and 
many  exhibited  traces  of  bullets  in  their  clothing.  One  gray- 
haired  man  had  a  watch  in  the  case  of  which  a  rifle-ball  had 
left  its  mark.  A  young,  boyish-looking  sergeant  showed  me  a 
daguerreotype  of  his  mother,  a  bullet  being  embedded  in  the 
center  of  the  picture.  He  had  carried  it  in  the  breast-pocket 
of  his  blouse,  where  lying  over  his  heart  it  had  undoubtedly 
saved  the  wearer's  life.  Throwing  open  his  shirt,  the  proud 
boy  revealed  the  imprint  of  the  embossed  case  on  his  bosom. 

"  I  wouldn't  take  the  best  farm  in  our  county  for  that  i^ic- 
ture,"  said  he.  "  Mother  always  said  she  would  pray  for  me, 
and  this  is  an  answer  to  her  prayers.  God  bless  her !  I've  felt 
like  crying  ever  since  I  found  this  bullet.  That  would  look 
nice  for  a  sergeant,  wouldn't  it  ?  " 


BEATEN  DOWN.  163 

"  I  don't  think  so,"  I  replied.  "  It's  natural  for  you  to  love 
your  mother." 

"  Of  course  it  is.  Well,  we  made  a  good  square  fight  of  it, 
anyway.  Good-by,  sir:  I  must  be  off;  "  and  the  little  hero  ran 
after  his  comrades.  The  troops  marching  past  seemed  aston- 
ished to  learn  that  we  had  been  idle  so  near  them.  Though 
they  made  no  complaint,  we  felt  humiliated  at  having  been 
kept  out  of  the  engagement.  After  the  Third,  came  a  part  of 
the  Second  Corps  ;  and  we  understood  that  the  line  was  to  be 
extended  on  the  right. 

"You'll  have  to  stand  the  next  assault,"  remarked  an  ofScer 
to  me  as  I  gave  him  a  drink  from  my  canteen,  "  so  keep  your 
powder  dry." 

As  the  rear  of  the  column  slowly  straggled  by,  a  group  of 
mounted  officers  appeared.  It  was  General  Hooker  and  his  staff. 
Our  men  began  cheering  him ;  but  he  held  up  his  hand,  and  the 
noisy  salutation  died  away  as  quickly  as  it  had  been  begun. 

"  He's  wounded !  "  cried  out  a  score  of  voices  as  the  general 
put  his  hand  to  his  head  and  slightly  wavered  in  his  sad- 
dle. 

"No,  no,  boys,"  responded  the  general  quickly,  "not  wound- 
ed, only  a  little  stunned :  I'll  be  all  right  by  and  by." 

The  men  gave  a  hearty,  gladsome  cheer ;  the  general  gallop- 
ing forward  to  escape  their  enthusiasm. 

Now  that  the  road  was  clear,  our  bugles  somided  the  advance ; 
and  we  moved  forward  to  a  line  of  breastworks  hitherto  occu- 
pied by  our  pickets.  A  dead  silence  had  by  this  time  fallen  on 
the  woods,  and  the  fighting  seemed  to  be  over  for  the  day. 
We  had,  however,  been  in  position  only  a  few  minutes,  when 
our  ears  were  saluted  by  what  seemed  scattering  musketry. 
No  attack  was  made  on  our  line  ;  and  I  leaned  against  the  breast- 
work, listening  to  the  singular  sounds,  conjecturing  what  this 
strange,  intermittent  firing  could  be. 

"  I  say,  Wilmot,  that's  a  queer  sort  of  musketry,"  remarked 
Captain  Burch.     "  It  don't  sound  much  like  picket-firing,  and 


164  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

there's  not  enough  of  it  for  breastwork  fighting.  I  wonder 
what  it  means  ?  " 

"I  am  as  much  puzzled  as  yourself,  old  fellow.  I  never  heard 
the  like  of  it  before." 

"  The  fire  out  yonder  must  be  growing  stronger  ;  for  there's 
less  smoke,  and  I  feel  the  heat  more.  I  hope  it  ain't  coming 
this  way,  though  that  would  be  just  our  luck,"  continued  the 
captain,  in  his  grumbling  way. 

"  It  would  be  odd  indeed,"  said  I,  "  if  we  were  compelled  to 
retreat  before  the  flames  instead  of  the  enemy." 

"  There  !  Don't  you  hear  the  fire  crackling  ?  "  interrupted 
the  captain.  "  I  do  plainly.  As  sure  as  you  live,  Wilmot,  the 
fire  is  coming  this  way.  We  shall  be  burned  up  or  burned 
out." 

As  he  spoke,  a  sergeant  belonging  to  the  pickets  came 
scrambling  over  the  pile  of  logs  and  earth. 

"What's  the  matter,  sergeant?  ,Are  you  wounded?" 
I  asked. 

"  No,  sir :  I'm  all  right.  But  I  thought  this  was  the  Hun- 
dred and  Fortieth :  where  are  they  ?  " 

"  A  little  way  to  the  right.     But  why  have  you  come  in  ?  " 

"  Why,  the  woods  are  all  on  fire  out  there,  and  we're  going 
to  dig  a  trench  to  keep  it  from  spreading :  so  I've  come  in  for 
more  men  and  some  tools.  Do  you  know  the  woods  over  there 
are  all  full  of  wounded  ?  " 

"Good  heavens!  Is  it  possible?"  I  exclaimed  in  horror. 
"  Can't  you  save  them  ?  " 

"  Too  late,  I'm  afraid.  That's  been  tried  already.  Why,  we 
calculate  there  are  two  or  three  thousand  dead  and  wounded, 
both  Federal  and  Confederate,  lying  there  under  the  burning 
trees,"  said  the  sergeant,  disappearing  in  the  direction  of  his 
regiment. 

"  That  accounts  for  the  queer  musketry,  Wilmot,"  remarked 
the  captain.  "  It's  the  fire  exploding  the  muskets  lying  on  the 
ground." 


BEATEN  DOWN.  165 

"Very  likely,"  I  replied  ;  "but  I'm  thinking  of  the  wounded. 
It's  horrible  to  think  of  those  hapless  men  being  burned  to 
death.     I'll  go  and  see  the  major." 

On  my  telling  Major  Harding  the  awful  condition  of  affairs, 
he  decided  at  once  to  rescue  the  wounded.  He  soon  gained 
the  approbation  of  our  brigadier :  so,  with  a  force  of  nearly  a 
hundred  volunteers,  he  and  I  started  for  the  abandoned  bat- 
tle-ground. Crossing  the  field  where  we  had  watched  the 
progress  of  the  engagement,  we  found  it  entirely  deserted  by 
both  armies,  but  thickly  strewn  with  debris.  Knapsacks  and 
canteens,  muskets,  cartridge  -  boxes  and  bayonets,  shattered 
artillery  caissons,  and  broken  wagons,  dead  horses  and  men,  lay 
scattered  on  the  ground  in  dire  confusion.  In  the  distance, 
towards  the  Chancellorsville  House,  I  could  distinguish  a  body 
of  infantry  which  I  recognized  as  a  Confederate  line.  As  we 
were  not  going  within  range  of  their  rifles,  our  party  pushed 
boldly  across  the  corner  of  the  open  ground.  On  reaching  the 
left  of  the  line  occupied  by  the  Third  Corps,  we  found  the 
irregular  dropping  musketry  fire  still  going  on  ;  and  the  omin- 
ous roar  of  the  advancing  flames  betrayed  the  rapidity  of  their 
l^rogress.  As  we  proceeded,  I  could  hear  the  screams  of  pain 
and  frenzied  appeals  for  succor  uttered  by  the  hapless  wounded, 
who  seemed  doomed  to  a  dreadful  fate. 

"  Come,  men !  into  the  woods  with  you,  and  pick  up  every 
live  man  you  meet ! "  cried  the  major.  "  In  with  you,  boys ! 
Leave  your  muskets  behind  j-ou.  —  Lieutenant  Wilmot,  you 
remain  here,  and  see  that  the  rescued  are  placed  in  safety." 

The  men  quicklj^  unslung  their  knapsacks,  and,  sticking  their 
bayoneted  guns  into  the  ground,  disappeared  among  the  trees, 
led  by  Major  Harding.  In  a  few  minutes  some  of  them  re- 
turned, carrying  groaning  men ;  and  I  busied  myself  in  seeing 
tliem  comfortably  disposed  of  at  a  safe  distance  from  the  fire. 
In  doing  so,  I  saw  that  our  fellows  were  making  no  distinction ; 
for  the  blue  and  the  gray  came  side  by  side  as  they  had  fallen. 
The   Confederate  infantry  we  had  seen   across  the  field  now 


166 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


began  firing  at  us :  but  after  a  few  rounds  they  apparently  dis- 
covered our  errand ;  for  they  at  once  ceased,  giving  a  wild  sort 
of  cheer  to  encourage  us,  their  yell  sounding  strangely  amid  the 
crackling  of  the  flames.  In  a  few  minutes  we  had  thirty  or 
forty  poor  creatures  in  the  field,  who  loudly  cried  for  water, 
water !     We  gave  them  what  we  had,  and  I  sent  for  some  am- 


BRINGI>G  OFF  THE  AVOUNDED. 


bulances.  As  I  gave  the  order,  INIajor  Harding  appeared,  his 
face  and  hands  black  and  grimy. 

"  It's  no  use,  Frank.  We  can  do  no  more.  The  fire  has  got 
such  headway,  we  can't  face  it  and  live.  Heaven  help  those 
poor  wretches!  we  can  do  nothing.  My  God!  it  makes  my 
blood  run  cold  to  hear  them  scream ; "  and,  as  he  spoke,  the 
stout-hearted  officer  threw  himself  on  the  ground,  tears  coursing 
down  his  besmeared  cheeks. 

It  was  indeed  a  hopeless  task  ,  and,  as  our  party  re-assembled, 
every  man's  face  grave  and  awe-stricken,  we  listened  silently  to 
the  cries  of  those  beyond  all  mortal  aid.  Curses  and  yells  of 
pain,  piteous  appeals  and  spasmodic  prayers,  could  be  distin- 
guished ,  but  though  we  could  hear  their  voices,  we  were  cut  off 
from  them  by  a  wall  of  fire.     The  flames  roared  more  fiercely; 


BEATEN  DOWN.  167 

the  cries  grew  fainter,  until  at  last  they  were  hushed.  Look- 
ing into  the  burning  forest,  I  saw  that  every  shrub,  tendril,  and 
sapling  was  being  consumed :  even  the  monarchs  of  that  wild 
region  were  scorched  and  killed  by  the  fire.  No  human  being 
could  live  in  the  presence  of  so  fierce  a  heat ;  and  as  the  fiery 
torrent  rolled  on  madly,  swiftly,  we  stood  and  watched  its 
progress,  knowing  that  in  those  few  fleeting  moments  hundreds 
of  brave  men  who  had  struggled  in  mortal  combat  with  each 
other,  amid  the  tangled  growth  of  vines  and  trees,  had  now 
passed  through  a  horrible  death  together. 

The  ambulances  soon  arrived,  when  the  men  set  to  work 
placing  the  rescued  men  in  them.  On  turning  toward  the  row 
stretched  on  the  earth,  I  found  three  already  dead,  and  a  fourth 
quietly  slipping  away  into  the  dark  valley.  Before  all  of  the 
ambulances  were  "dispatched,  seven  were  dead;  their  bodies 
being  left  on  the  ground  where  we  had  laid  them. 

"  Wilmot,  you  and  I  have  seen  some  tough  scenes  since  we 
entered  the  service,"  said  Major  Harding,  as  we  marched  back 
to  our  regiment ;  "  but  this  last  experience  is  the  toughest  of 
them  all." 

"  Yes,  indeed  !  "  I  replied.  "  It's  bad  enough  to  find  your 
comrades  falling  all  around  you,  not  knowing  when  it  will  be 
your  own  turn  ;  but  to  see  helpless  men  burned  to  death,  and 
be  unable  to  save  them,  is  simply  awful." 

There  was  no  more  fighting  anywhere  along  the  line,  so  the 
day  passed  into  night  without  further  disturbance.  At  sunset 
news  came  that  Sedgwick  was  moving  on  the  heights  behind 
Fredericksburg,  which  explained  the  silence  of  the  Confeder- 
ates along  our  own  front.  The  fire  in  the  woods  died  away, 
and  the  night  proved  a  quiet  one  for  us. 

The  next  day  and  night  we  lay  in  position,  hearing  Sedg- 
wick's guns,  and  wondering  why  we  made  no  aggressive  move- 
ment. In  the  morning  we  learned  that  Sedgwick  had  been 
beaten  back.  The  intelligence  was  received  by  the  men  in 
silence,  for  they  knew  that  Lee  had  now  crippled  both  wings 


168  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

of  our  divided  arm}'.  Our  general  had  missed  his  opportunity. 
Still  the  troops  waited  confidently  for  orders.  None  came, 
however;  and  after  sTinset  we  were  surprised  by  the  appearance 
of  the  entire  reserve  artillery,  moving  silently,  secretly,  along 
the  road.  The  wheels  of  the  caissons  and  guns  were  swathed 
in  blankets,  and  the  batteries  took  the  road  to  the  ford. 

"  A  retreat,  a  retreat !  "  were  the  words  that  ran  along  the 
lines. 

It  was  indeed  a  retreat.  Lee  had  out-manenvered  Hooker. 
We  were  now  to  fall  back  across  the  river. 

The  artillery  having  disappeared,  infantry  came  next,  a  whole 
corps,  followed  by  more  cannon.  Then  we  received  orders  to 
bnild  large  fires  along  the  lines  of  our  position.  This  move- 
ment had  a  double  purpose,  — that  of  deceiving  the  Confeder- 
ates, and  affording  light  for  the  marching  columns.  The  troops 
continued  moving  far  into  the  night,  and  I  learned  from  a  staff 
officer  that  the  advance  had  already  crossed  the  Rappahannock. 
No  orders  came  for  our  corps,  so  we  continued  to  hold  our  line 
of  battle.  A  heavy  rain  set  in ;  and  the  men  gathered  round 
their  fires,  discussing  the  situation.  A  feeling  of  despair  was 
in  every  heart,  for  all  knew  the  honor  of  the  army  had  sus- 
tained a  blow  difficult  to  recover  from. 

The  retreat  of  the  other  corps  lasted  until  after  midnight ; 
the  silent,  mysterious  march  of  so  many  armed  men,  as  they 
plodded  on  through  the  rain  and  mud,  being  an  appalling 
spectacle,  for  demoralization  was  already  visible  in  the  ranks. 
About  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  word  was  passed  down  the 
line  to  increase  the  fires :  so  our  men  proceeded  gloomily  to  tear 
up  the  breast-works,  now  useless,  and  heaped  up  the  friendly 
logs  until  the  woods  seemed  to  be  again  in  flames.  By  this 
time  the  army  had  disappeared :  we  were  evidently  alone  in 
the  forest ;  the  task  of  covering  the  retreat  had  fallen  to  us. 
Scarcely  had  the  fires  been  freshened  in  their  generous  glow, 
when  our  corps  was  put  in  motion.  Leaving  the  blazing  line, 
we  struck  off"  through  that  part  of  the  Avoods  where  the  field 


BEATEN  DOWN.  171 

hospitals  had  located  on  that  terrible  Sundaj'.  On  we  went, 
stumbling  in  the  darkness  over  ghastly  heaps  of  human  legs, 
arms,  and  hands,  grim  evidence  how  active  had  been  the  imple- 
ments of  the  surgeons.  Among  these  dreadful  proofs  of  the 
cost  of  war,  lay  manj'  a  corj)se,  unburied,  uncared  for. 

As  the  day  dawned,  we  emerged  from  the  woods,  having  fol- 
lowed no  regular  path,  being  guided  solely  by  occasional  cut 
saplings  and  blazes  on  the  larger  trees.  In  a  field  near  the 
ford,  the  ground  thickly  sprinkled  with  clumps  of  young  pines, 
we  found  the  main  body  of  the  army  hurriedly  crossing  the 
river.  In  a  few  minutes  the  corps  fell  into  line  to  hold  the 
approaches  to  the  ford.  The  men,  finding  their  muskets  wet 
and  rusty,  began  snapping  caps  in  harmless  fusillade  as  they 
endeavored  to  dry  the  nipples. 

While  they  were  thus  engaged.  General  JNIeade,  our  corps 
commander,  came  slowly  riding  along  the  line. 

"  What  the  devil  are  you  doing,  men  ?  "  he  exclaimed  in  an 
angry  tone.     "  What's  all  this  noise  for  ?  " 

"  Shure,  gineral,"  replied  the  irrepressible  Dennis,  "  we're 
only  thrymg  to  dhry  our  guns  a  bit.  Faith,  an'  we  couldn't 
fire  a  shot  if  thim  divils  should  come  at  us  now." 

"  Well,  you  could  give  them  your  bayonets,"  responded  the 
general  wearily. 

"  Yis,  sir :  so  we  can,"  retorted  the  corporal,  determined  as 
usual  to  have  the  last  word.  "  But  if  it's  all  the  same  to  you, 
gineral,  we'd  loike  to  give  'em  bullets  as  well." 

"  Officers,  see  that  your  men  do  not  waste  too  many  caps," 
said  the  genertil,  endeavoring  to  hide  a  smile  as  he  rode  on. 

By  noon  all  of  the  other  corps  were  safely  over  the  Rappa- 
hannock, when  it  came  onr  turn  to  cross.  As  yet  we  had  seen 
nothing  of  the  enemy  beyond  a  few  horsemen  who  appeared  on 
some  rising  ground  in  the  direction  of  Fredericksburg.  On 
moving  down  towards  the  ford,  we  found  the  road  leading  to 
the  pontoon-bridge  in  a  terrible  condition ;  the  pressure  of  so 
many  thousand  feet,  and  the  heavy  wheels  of  the  artillery  and 


172  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

wagons,  having  cut  up  the  soft  wet  earth  until  it  was  a  perfect 
sea  of  mud,  through  which  we  floundered  up  to  our  knees. 
The  river  itself  was  also  greatly  swollen  by  the  rain  of  the 
previous  night,  and  the  last  remaining  bridge  seemed  in  instant 
danger  of  being  swept  away.  Several  hawsers  fastened  to  trees 
on  either  bank  held  the  swaying  structure  in  position,  but  we 
were  compelled  to  wade  through  the  increasing  freshet  before 
reaching  the  precarious  bridge  of  boats.  Our  brigade  hap- 
pened to  be  the  last  to  cross ;  and,  being  detailed  to  bring  up 
the  stragglers,  Dennis  and  I  were  on  the  bridge  when  the  engi- 
neers cut  loose  the  fastenings  on  the  western  bank,  and  sent  the 
pontoons  swinging  round  in  the  angry,  foaming  current.  For  a 
moment  I  imagined  we  had  gone  adrift. 

"  Begorra,  Master  Frank,  an'  I  don't  loike  these  rivers  at  all ! " 
exclaimed  Dennis,  endeavoring  to  keep  his  foothold.  "  Ivery 
toime  we  get  on  thim,  the  wather  tries  to  dhrown  us.  Shure,  I 
volunteered  to  foight  on  the  land  and  not  in  the  navy." 

"  Silence,  you  fool,"  said  the  engineer  officer  in  charge  of  the 
bridge.  "  Stand  read3s  all,  to  jump  when  we  near  the  bank. 
Keep  cool,  there's  no  danger." 

"  Thank  ye  for  the  information,  sir,"  replied  Dennis  in  a  low 
tone.  "  Couldn't  ye  give  us  a  feather-bed  to  jump  on  ?  The 
wather's  dreadful  cowld." 

"If  you  give  me  any  more  of  your  impudence,"  cried  the 
engineer  wrathfully,  "I'll  fling  you  overboard." 

"  Do  as  you  are  bid,  corporal,"  said  I.  "  Captain,  give  the 
word  when  you  are  ready,  please." 

He  nodded  in  silence,  as  he  watched  the  bridge  swing  round. 

"  Stand  ready  to  jump,  now — jump  !  " 

My  little  party  instinctively  obeyed,  finding  themselves  waist- 
deep  in  the  icy  water ;  but  in  a  few  moments  all  had  floundered 
safely  ashore. 

The  road  up  the  steep  bank  was  blocked  with  broken  wagons, 
and  the  woods  were  full  of  men.  There  was  no  longer  any 
cohesion,  any  discipline.      Corps,  divisions,  and  brigades  had 


BEATEN  DOWN.  173 

become  inextricably  mingled  together.  Regiments  melted  to  a 
company,  some  even  lusing  their  colors  for  a  time.  Officers 
and  men  straggled  into  the  woods  to  cook  such  food  as 
remained,  rank  being  forgotten  for  the  moment ;  for  all  seemed 
reckless  as  to  the  future.  Though  the  army  was  safe  from 
pursuit,  the  bitter  feeling  of  defeat  was  uppermost  in  every 
man's  mind.  Demoralization  reigned  supreme.  The  magnifi- 
cent army  that  had  a  few  weeks  before  passed  in  proud  array 
before  the  President  was  now  humbled  and  shattered. 

Dennis  and  I  scrambled  up  the  rocky  defile,  and  on  reaching 
the  heights  above  plodded  forward  through  the  mud  in  hopes 
of  overtaking'our  regiment.  But,  after  a  weary  march  of  a  few 
miles,  we  lost  all  trace  of  the  corps  in  column,  though  the  men 
composing  it  were  thronging  the  forest  on  either  hand. 

"  Halloa,  Wilmot !  where  are  you  going  to  ?  "  cried  a  familiar 
voice. 

Turning  to  see  who  spoke,  I  saw  our  major  lying  on  the 
ground  in  front  of  a  fire,  near  the  roadside. 

"Why,  I'm  seeking  the  regiment,  of  course.     Where  is  it?" 

"  Everywhere.  The  whole  corps  seems  to  have  gone  strag- 
gling. I  sprained  my  foot  among  those  confounded  rocks  at  the 
ford  below,  and  had  to  halt  here.     Come,  sit  down  and  rest." 

"  This  is  an  awful  state  of  affairs,  Harding,"  said  I,  accept- 
ing his  invitation  ;  Dennis  at  the  same  time  preparing  to  cook 
some  coffee. 

"  You  may  well  say  that,"  replied  the  major.  "  But  the  men 
will  soon  get  over  it.  In  a  few  days  the  army  will  be  all  right 
again." 

"  I  hope  so,  though  it's  dreadful  to  see  a  whole  army  broken 
and  scattered  as  ours  appears  to  be." 

"  Oh  !  don't  get  down-hearted,  Frank.  We  have  need  of  all 
our  courage  now.     It's  the  fortune  of  war." 

Finding  that  Major  Harding's  sprain  was  a  severe  one,  Den- 
nis and  I  shared  his  bivouac  for  the  night.  The  next  morn- 
ing he  was  able  to  walk  with  tolerable  ease  :  so  we  started  quite 


174 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


early  for  our  old  winter-quarters,  picking  up  such  of  our  men  as 
we  chanced  to  overtake  on  the  way.  That  evening  we  reached 
our  old  camp  with  nearly  one  hundred  muskets,  while  others 
were   still   plodding  on.    We  were   greeted  most  heartily  by 


;-■  -r^^"-^^^. 


\  ,  :'.'     *   '   (It 


rF- 


KETURN  TO  THE   ABANDONED  CAMPS   AT  FALMOUTH. 

Colonel  Lloyd,  he  being  evidently  glad  to  see  so  many  of 
his  men  once  more.  No  reproof  for  our  absence  was  uttered ; 
it  being  considered  the  most  natural  thing  in  the  world,  in 
presence  of  the  general  disorganization.  Indeed,  the  colonel 
informed  us  that  he  had  ridden  into  camp  with  scarcely  fifty 
men  at  his  horse's  heels,  while  others  had  been  coming  in  all 
day. 

Our  party  comprised  nearly  all  the  missing  since  our  roll-call 
on  the  battle-field,  and  on  the  following  morning  there  were  no 
absentees  unaccounted  for.  The  army  was  already  resuming 
its  old  formation. 


175 


CHAPTER  XV. 


"  The  war,  that  for  a  space  did  fail, 
Now,  trebly  thundering,  swelled  the  gale." 

."T  first  General  Hooker's  headlong  retreat 
-  demoralized  his  army,  but  its  morale  remained 
intact  and  unimpaired :  and  it  soon  recovered 
from  the  stunning  blow  sustained  in  the  woods 
of  Chancellorsville,  rapidly  regaining  all  of 
its  accustomed  elasticity  and  mobile  power. 
It  was  this  quality  of  recuperation  that  made 
the  Federal  Army  of  the  Potomac  so  grand 
a  body  of  troops.  Broken  by  its  efforts  to 
seize  Richmond  under  McClellan,  and  humili- 
ated by  being  compelled  to  share  in  Pope's 
""  ----  -.  .f'  defeat  at  Manassas,  the  army  had  by  its  des- 
valor  clutched  a  decisive  victory  at  Antietam,  only 
to  find  itself  hurled  by  Burnside  against  an  impregnable  posi- 
tion at  Fredericksburg.  Following  Hooker,  it  had  halted  on 
the  verge  of  destruction  amid  a  labyrinth  of  virgin  woods  ;  and, 
now  after  a  few  short  weeks  of  rest,  was  again  ready  for  the 
field,  undismayed  by  the  reverses  of  the  past,  only  remember- 
ing its  victories  and  successes.  Though  the  army  had  been 
greatly  weakened  by  its  losses,  it  longed  to  meet  the  enemy. 

April  and  May  passed  with  the  army  still  in  camp,  but  June 
at  last  brought  the  threatening  movement.  A  reconnoissance 
by  Sedgwick  revealed  the  fact  that  Lee  had  assumed  the 
initiative  ;  and  on  the  day  we  learned  the  news,  Pleasonton's 


perate 


176  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

cavalry  corps  began  marching  past  our  division  camp.  The 
next  morning  the  entire  army  was  in  motion.  Our  corps  was 
thrown  along  the  line  of  the  Rappahannock  River,  above  the 
junction  of  the  Rapidan ;  and  we  lay  in  scattered  brigade  camps 
until  the  middle  of  June.  A  cavalry  engagement  between 
Pleasonton  and  Stuart,  on  the  plains  of  Brandy,  unmasked 
Lee's  movement  towards  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  thus  com- 
pelling Hooker  to  attempt  a  counter-stroke.  He  accordingly 
set  his  columns  in  motion  along  the  interior  line. 

It  came  my  turn  to  go  on  picket-duty  a  few  days  after  the 
cavalry  fight ;  my  command  receiving  ten  days'  rations,  for  all 
knew  that  the  corps  might  take  the  road  at  any  moment.  Out- 
post duty  was  to  me  a  decided  relief  from  the  stagnation  of 
regimental  camp-life  and  routine.  It  was  therefore  with  posi- 
tive pleasure  that  I  rolled  up  my  overcoat  and  blankets, — 
my  faithful  friend  and  follower  Dennis  making  a  perfect  pack- 
horse  of  himself  with  a  tremendous  stock  of  provisions. 

"Av  coorse  it's  a  heavy  load  now,"  he  replied  to  my  re- 
monstrances, "  but  it  will  be  loighter  before  we're  relaved  ;  and 
besides.  Master  Frank,  we  haven't  fur  to  go." 

"  Have  your  own  way,  Dennis,  as  you  always  do,"  said  I, 
knowing  how  futile  argument  was  with  him. 

"  To  be  shure  111  hev  me  own  way,"  retorted  Dennis. 
"  You're  an  officer,  and  I'll  obey  your  ordhers  to  the  death ;  but 
whin  it  comes  to  carryin'  coffee  and  sugar  and  a  thrifle  of  a 
ham  or  two,  it's  me  own  back's  the  masther." 

Bidding  my  brother  officers  adieu,  I  set  out  with  my  detail 
for  our  post  of  duty.  The  day  was  bright  and  warm  ;  but  the 
woods  were  delightfully  cool  and  shady  in  their  fresh  young 
foliage,  our  narrow  path  under  the  trees  being  fringed  with 
wild  flowers,  fragrant  and  beautiful.  The  twitter  of  the  mating 
birds  overhead,  the  soft  hum  of  the  insects,  and  the  splash 
of  a  brook  as  its  waters  went  tumbling  over  the  steep  bank 
into  the  river,  sounded  in  my  ears  as  I  marched  at  the  head  of 
my  little  column,  until  I  almost  fancied  myself  in  my  native 


A   PAUSE.  177 

woods ;  the  lieavy  tread  of  our  party  and  the  clink  of  steel  alone 
destroying  the  illusion. 

We  were  to  relieve  a  part  of  the  pickets  lying  a  few  miles 
above  the  junction  of  the  two  rivers ;  and,  as  the  post  was 
scarcely  three  miles  distant  from  our  camp,  we  were  not  long  in 
reaching  our  destination.  On  finding  the  officer  in  command,  I 
discovered,  that,  though  I  had  an  equal  number  of  men,  I  was 
expected  to  cover  a  longer  line  than  his ;  the  pickets  of  the 
other  brigade  having  been,  for  some  unexplained  reason,  entire- 
ly withdrawn,  consequently  I  was  assigned  to  the  entire  divis- 
ion line.  As  the  retiring  pickets  had  been  on  duty  for  five 
days,  I  expected  a  similar  period  of  service.  It  was  a  matter 
of  indifference  to  me,  however,  for  we  had  an  ample  supply 
of  food ;  the  men  seeming  to  share  my  delight  at  escaping  from 
camp  duty  and  drill.  Going  over  the  ground  to  be  guarded,  I 
ascertained  that  we  held  fully  a  mile  of  the  river,  so,  while  post- 
ing ray  sentries,  was  careful  to  caution  the  men  to  keep  up 
frequent  communication  with  each  other,  and  avoid  giving 
needless  aJarms. 

Having  occasion  to  change  the  location  of  the  reserve  post, 
I  directed  Sergeant  Foster  to  pick  out  a  suitable  position,  while 
I  arranged  the  line.  By  noon  I  had  accomplished  the  latter  to 
my  satisfaction,  and,  after  seeing  the  old  picket-guard  sling 
their  knapsacks  and  depart  for  camp,  turned  my  footsteps 
towards  the  center  of  our  extended  position.  The  spot  selected 
by  Foster  for  our  reserve  bivouac  lay  among  some  immense 
rocks  that  had  evidently  been  piled  up  on  the  river-bank,  in 
chaotic  confusion,  by  some  mighty  convulsion  of  nature.  Ad- 
mirably adapted  for  defense,  and  approached  by  a  rude  path 
which  wound  around  the  bowlders  at  the  top,  the  little  rocky 
nest  was  entirely  hidden,  though  we  had  a  complete  view  of  the 
river,  both  above  and  below  the  bend.  The  dense  undergrowth 
that  overhung  these  disrupted  rocks  formed  a  leafy  canopy 
above  our  heads,  completely  sheltering  us  from  the  rays  of 
the  sun. 


178  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

I  found  my  men  quietly  awaiting  me  ;  and,  as  I  at  once 
approved  of  the  sergeant's  choice,  they  were  not  long  in  making 
every  thing  snug  and  comfortable.  There  was  ample  room  for 
two  hundred  men ;  and,  as  my  whole  command  was  scarcely 
half  that  number,  there  was  plenty  of  elbow-room  for  those  off 
duty. 

Dennis  soon  fixed  a  quiet  corner  for  me ;  while  others  busied 
themselves  in  gathering  a  stock  of  fuel  for  our  watch-fires, 
finding  an  abundant  supply  in  a  heap  of  dry  drift-wood  depos- 
ited at  the  foot  of  the  rocks  by  the  frequent  freshets  on  the  river. 

Leaning  against  one  of  the  massive  stones  forming  the  ram- 
parts of  our  natural  fortress,  I  gave  myself  up  to  reflection. 
Gazing  on  the  swiftly  moving  river,  its  current  narrowed  and 
deepened  in  the  bend  by  the  intrusive,  unyielding  presence  of 
these  conglomerate  rocks,  and  watching  the  shifting  shadows 
as  they  played  on  the  angry  surface  of  the  turbulent  stream,  I 
thought  of  the  weary  marches  and  thrilling  battle-scenes  I  had 
participated  in.  The  toil,  perils,  and  excitements  attending 
army-life  gave  zest  to  the  present,  and  led  me  into  bright 
anticipations  for  the  future.  I  knew  the  approaching  campaign 
was  to  be  a  severe  and  protracted  one,  but  my  heart  beat  high 
with  hope  as  I  forecast  the  probable  scope  and  result  of  the 
movement. 

"  Leftinant,  dinner's  ready,"  said  Dennis  sententiously. 
"  Shure,  ye  must  be  hungry  by  this  toime." 

I  laughed  as  I  turned  to  obey  the  summons,  for  with  it  had 
flown  all  my  dreams. 

The  time  passed  quickly,  and  we  had  been  three  days  on 
picket-duty  without  any  incident  happening  to  disturb  us. 
There  were  no  challenges  during  the  flight,  no  signs  of  the 
enemy  by  day.  Indeed,  I  began  to  suspect  that  we  were 
guarding  the  river  against  nobody  ;  for  the  Confederate  pickets, 
who  had  maintained  a  pleasant  intercourse  with  our  predecessors 
in  exchanging  coffee  and  tobacco,  were  now  no  longer  visible. 
In  this  belief  I  was  joined  by  Lieutenant  Martin,  commanding 


A  Pause. 


179 


he  Zw    m"  ""^^  "'■  '"^  "'  ^0"— icated  our  suspicions  to 
the  field-officer  who  visited  us;  but  he  failing  to  shire  them, 
we   contnmed   as  much   on  the  alert  as  though  the  opposit 
bank  Avere  frmged  with  hostile  riflemen. 

I  had  just  returned  from  an  inspection  of  my  line  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  fourth  day,  having  found  every  fhing  provok! 

cool  the  breeze  down  the  river  being  laden  with  the  perfumel 
lit.  tT^  I  experienced  a  fresh  degree  of  pleasure  in 

viewing   the  romantic  scene  after  supper,  carelessly  louncin. 

W;n   drift'  ''  '   '°"^'^^-'  ^""'"^^  "^^  P^l--     ''y  ^^--I-^^^« 
began   drifting  away  again;    and  I  had  wholly  forgotten  my 

"  An'  what  the  divil  was  that  ?  " 

me"Sftrf9''''''-rr''^-   ^^^'''  ^^  y°^  "^^'-^^^  by  startling 
me  Ike  that?     said  I,  angry  at  the   unwonted  interruption 

VV  hat  are  you  staring  at,  you  idiot  ?  " 

"  Why  I  thought  I  saw  a  man  down  there  on  the  other  side  " 

"It  seems  to  me,  Dennis,  that  you  are  always  seeing  some- 
body or  something,"  I  retorted  sarcastically.  I  Hang  ft,  Zn 
be^quiet       I  see  no  one  ;  and,  if  I  did,  he  can  not  eat  us." 

1  roth  an  we  wud  be  a  tough  mouthful.  But,  if  ye  didn't 
see^hini.  Master  Frank,  I  did.  Yis :  there  he  is  now." 
"Where?  '  I  whispered,  now  thoroughly  aroused. 
"Why,  over  there,  by  that  big  birch-tree.  There  he  is 
sitting  down  on  that  flat  bit  of  rock,  for  all  the  world  like  a 
big  brown  toad;"  and  Dennis  pointed  excitedly  towards  the 
upper  end  of  the  bend. 

Following  the  direction  of  Dennis's  finger  with  my  eyes,  I 
saw  that  he  was  right.     A  man  was  there,  sure  enough,  s  ttiig 


180  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  It  must  be  one  of  the  Confederate  pickets,"  said  I :  "  they 
are  beginning  to  show  themselves  again.  Tell  Sergeant  Foster 
I  want  him." 

In  a  few  moments  Sam  was  by  my  side. 

"Sergeant,  take  your  rifle,  and  pass  along  our  line  to  the 
right.  See  that  the  men  are  on  the  lookout.  There's  a  man 
down  there  on  the  opposite  bank,  and  no  doubt  more  above 
and  below.  Tell  Sergeant  Coulter  to  take  the  left  and  do  the 
same." 

The  two  sergeants  disappeared  on  their  respective  errands ; 
while  I  continued  to  watch  the  stranger,  Dennis  and  the  rest 
of  my  reserve  scattering  among  the  rocks  for  the  same  pur- 
pose. There  was  no  need  to  enjoin  silence,  for  all  seemed  to 
appreciate  its  necessity. 

The  sun  had  gone  .down,  but  there  was  sufficient  light  left 
for  us  to  discern  the  man  crouching  under  the  trees.  I  had 
noticed  that  he  had  no  musket ,  and,  as  I  watched  him,  I  won- 
dered what  he  intended  to  do,  for  it  was  now  evident  that  his 
presence  on  the  river  had  a  definite  purpose.  Ten  or  fifteen 
minutes  passed,  yet  the  man  made  no  sign  or  movement ;  and 
I  was  getting  somewhat  impatient,  when  he  rose  to  his  feet,  and, 
turning  round,  dragged  a  log  of  wood  from  under  the  bushes, 
silently  launching  it  into  the  water.  As  he  did  so,  I  saw  that 
he  had  a  revolver  slung  around  his  neck. 

"  Begorra  !  he's  going  to  cross,"  whispered  Dennis,  over  my 
head.     "  Shall  the  b'yes  give  him  a  volley  ?  " 

"  No,  no !  Let  him  come,  and  we  will  capture  him.  Pass 
the  word  for  no  one  to  fire." 

As  I  uttered  the  words  the  Confederate  placed  himself  astride 
of  the  log,  and  plunged  boldly  into  the  stream.  It  was  evi- 
dently an  old  experience,  for  the  fellow  guided  his  log  so 
adroitly  that  the  current  was  carrying  him  straight  towards  our 
position.  I  saw  that  he  intended  to  land  among  the  drift-wood 
under  the  rocks :  so,  hastily  calling  on  three  or  four  of  the  men 
nearest  me,  I  crept  down  the  bank  to  receive  our  visitor.     By 


A   PAUSE. 


181 


yA<^  > 


this  time  he  had  reached  the  middle  of  the  river,  coming  swiftly 
towards  us,  evidently  unconscious  of  the  reception  awaiting 
him.  As  he  neared  the  pile  of  drift-wood,  the  daring  voyager 
shifted  his  right  leg  off  the  log,  and,  sitting  sideways,  made  a 
sudden  leap  for  the  landing.  So  accurately  had  he  judged  his 
'  distance,  that  as  he  abandoned  the  log  he  was  able  to  scramble 
up  among  the  loose  chips  and  sticks  forming  the  cmris,  soon 
rising  to  his  feet. 

"Surrender,  sir. 
You're  my  prisoner!" 
I  exclaimed  as  I  rushed 
forward  to  seize  the 
intruder. 

I  was,  however,  too 
precipitate;  for  like  a 
startled  deer  the  Con- 
federate turned  before 
I  could  lay  hands  on 
him,  and  with  a  jeering 
laugh  leaped  lightly  in- 
to the  river. 

"  Fire  !  "  I  shouted. 

At  the  same  moment,  I  felt  the  mass  of  dry  wood  give  way 
under  my  feet;  and  I  fell  into  the  water,  hearing  my  men's 
muskets  ring  out  a  spattering  volley  as  I  took  my  involuntary 
bath.  The  current  being  so  rapid,  I  believed  I  must  swim  for 
my  life  under  the  shower  of  bullets  my  men  were  sending  after 
the  fugitive ;  but  the  next  instant  my  outstretched  hand  caught 
a  friendly  branch,  so  I  was  able  to  draw  myself  up  to  a  safe 
footing.  Scrambling  over  the  rocks,  I  saw  the  Confederate 
gain  the  opposite  bank  in  safety.  As  he  reached  the  shore  he 
waved  his  hand  derisively,  and  then  disappeared  among  the 
trees. 

"  Are  you  much  wet,  lieutenant  ?  "  asked  Ferguson,  one  of 
the  men  who  had  accompanied  me  down  the  path. 


THE   CONFEDERATE   SPY. 


182  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Up  to  my  waist.  But  that's  no  matter :  it's  losing  that 
impudent  scamp  that  annoys  me." 

"  I  don't  see  how  we  missed  hitting  him,"  remarked  Fergu- 
son.    "  There  must  have  been  twenty  bullets  sent  after  him." 

"  You  all  fired  too  hastily,  and  he  was  going  with  the  cur- 
rent. I  am  glad,  though,  that  he  escaped  unhurt,"  said  I, 
squeezing  the  water  out  of  my  pantaloons.  "It  would  have 
been  a  shame  to  shoot  him  like  a  rat  in  the  water." 

"  Why,  you  told  us  to  fire  !  "  replied  Ferguson  reproachfully. 

"I  know  it.  It  was  on  the  impulse  of  the  moment.  So 
brave  a  man  deserved  to  get  off."  And,  as  I  spoke,  I  led  the 
way  up  the  crooked  path  to  our  rendezvous. 

Stripping  before  a  fire,  I  soon  dried  my  clothes,  and  then 
made  a  tour  of  my  line.  The  incident  caused  considerable 
excitement  among  the  sentries,  each  man  ofi"ering  his  own 
explanation ;  but  I  was  convinced  in  my  own  mind  that  we  had 
missed  a  scout  who  was  endeavoring  to  get  through  our  lines. 

The  following  day,  word  came  along  the  chain  of  sentinels 
that  Lieutenant  Martin  wished  to  see  me.  On  joining  him,  I 
found  the  young  officer  much  excited. 

"  Do  you  know  that  the  corps  has  broken  camp  and  marched 
away  ?  "  he  exclaimed  as  soon  as  we  met. 

"  Impossible !  They  would  not  go  away  without  recalling 
us." 

"But  they  have,  though,"  retorted  the  lieutenant.  "And 
all  the  pickets  on  my  left  are  gone  too." 

"  Indeed  !     How  did  you  find  out  all  this  ?  " 

"  Why,  I  got  out  of  coffee,  and  sent  one  of  my  men  to  camp 
for  more.  He  came  back,  saying  the  troops  had  all  disap- 
peared. He  also  discovered  the  absence  of  the  pickets  down 
the  river." 

"  This  is  a  nice  fix,"  said  I.  "  Tell  your  sergeants  to  keep  a 
sharp  lookout  while  we  go  and  see  the  officer  on  the  right." 

Sending  one  of  my  men  ahead  to  notify  the  officer  above  of 
our  coming.  Lieutenant  Martin  and  myself  followed.     Half  an 


A   PAUSE.  183 

hour  later  we  met  my  messenger,  who  reported  that  there  were 
no  pickets  above.  This  was  startling  news,  for  it  was  quite  evi- 
dent that  through  some  blunder  or  accident  we  had  been  over- 
looked and  forgotten.  The  question  was,  what  were  we  to  do? 
My  brother  lieutenant,  having  only  recently  received  his  com- 
mission, naturally  shifted  all  the  responsibility  to  my  shoulders, 
as  his  senior  in  rank. 

"  I  tell  you  what,"  exclaimed  Martin,  after  we  had  discussed 
the  matter  for  some  time :  "  my  men  discovered  a  horse  and 
equipments  concealed  in  the  garret  of  a  house  near  our  jDOst. 
You  take  him,  Wilmot,  and  ride  over  the  camps  j^ourself." 

"  A  capital  idea.  That  horse  must  belong  to  the  scout  we 
missed  capturing  last  evening." 

An  hour  later  I  was  riding  through  our  deserted  camp,  find- 
ing that  the  corps  had  indeed  abandoned  us.  The  fires  were 
all  dead  and  cold,  so  the  column  must  have  moved  the  previous 
day,  if  not  before.  My  course  was  therefore  clear :  we  must 
follow  and  endeavor  to  overtake  the  main  body.  Strictly 
speaking,  I  ought  to  remain  until  recalled;  but  I  knew  that 
it  would  be  ridiculous  under  the  circumstances. 

Early  in  the  afternoon  I  had  assembled  both  Lieutenant  Mar- 
tin's pickets  and  my  oAvn.  Forming  the  force  into  four  com- 
panies, we  soon  organized  a  little  battalion. 

"  Martin,"  said  I,  "  you  will  please  act  as  lieutenant-colonel, 
and  take  the  rear  of  the  column.  Sergeant  Foster  is  to  be  our 
adjutant,  and  the  other  sergeants  will  command  the  compa- 
nies.    Corporals,  take  the  line  of  file  closers." 

"All  right.  Colonel  Wilmot,"  replied  Martin,  laughing  at 
the  oddity  of  our  position. 

"  Now,  men,"  I  continued,  "  we  must  do  our  best  to  overtake 
the  corps,  so  I  shall  expect  you  to  move  rapidly.  If  any  one 
falls  out  and  straggles,  he  does  so  at  his  own  risk.  Forward, 
march ! " 

We  were  a  tolerably  strong  body ;  and,  though  the  men  were 
somewhat  excited  over  the  novelty  of  our  situation,  I  felt  con- 


184  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

fident  they  could  be  depended  upon  in  case  we  fell  into  any 
danger.  Dennis,  at  his  own  urgent  solicitation,  was  given 
command  of  the  advance-guard,  and  I  also  threw  out  a  few 
flankers  to  prevent  surprise.  These  precautions  taken,  we 
trudged  merrily  forward.  At  the  end  of  two  hours  we  struck 
the  main  road,  finding  it  ankle-deep  with  dust :  so  I  ordered  my 
men  into  the  fields,  and  moved  briskly  on.  We  knew  that 
forced  marches  would  be  necessary  to  overtake  the  army ;  and, 
the  men  knowing  that  their  only  safety  lay  in  keeping  well 
together,  I  had  no  trouble  in  holding  my  little  column  in  tol- 
erably good  shape. 

After  marching  eight  or  ten  miles,  we  halted  at  night-fall  in 
a  clump  of  woods  in  the  vicinity  of  a  small  brook,  a  few  fires 
only  being  permitted.  Our  sentinels  being  undisturbed  during 
the  night.  Lieutenant  Martin  and  myself  managed  to  get  some 
sleep,  though  both  of  us  naturally  felt  very  anxious.  At  day- 
break the  men  were  roused,  and  after  a  hasty  and  scanty  break- 
fast we  again  hurried  forward. 

We  were  now  in  a  wide  tract  of  open  country,  broken  here 
and  there  by  tiny  bits  of  woods;  but  there  were  no  signs  of  any 
large  body  of  troops.  The  day  was  a  very  hot  one,  and  the 
men  began  to  feel  the  effects  of  our  rapid  pace ;  but  I  urged 
and  encouraged  them  as  best  I  could,  finding  them  cheerful 
and  responsive  to  my  appeals.  At  noon  we  made  a  halt  of  an 
hour,  learning  at  a  house  near  by  that  Federal  troops  had 
passed  the  day  before ;  but,  they  being  horsemen,  I  could  not  tell 
how  far  the  corps  was  in  advance.  Marching  steadily  on  until 
the  sun  began  to  creep  down  the  western  sky,  we  came  at  length 
to  a  cross-roads,  where  I  halted  my  wearied  command  to  decide 
our  future  route.  Both  of  the  roads  betrayed  the  passage  of 
troops,  but  which  to  take  was  a  perplexing  problem. 

"Halloa!"  suddenly  exclaimed  Lieutenant  Martin,  as  we 
stood  debating  the  question.  "There's  cavalry  coming,"  and 
he  pointed  down  the  road  to  the  right. 

"  Attention,  battalion !  "  I  shouted,  leaping  into  my  saddle. 


A   PAUSE.  185 

"  Lieutenant,  let  the  men  form  behind  that  fence,  and  see  that 
every  musket  is  ready.  Courage,  boys !  We  may  have  to  fight : 
if  so,  we  must  give  a  good  account  of  ourselves." 

A  brisk  cheer  was  the  only  response,  as  the  men  obeyed 
orders,  and  rapidly  fell  into  line.  The  cloud  of  dust  raised  by 
the  advancing  cavalry  came  nearer  and  nearer.  The  moment 
that  was  to  decide  our  fate  was  almost  at  hand. 

Despite  my  outward  coolness,  I  was  very  nervous;  for  it 
seemed  hard  to  be  overpowered  and  made  prisoners,  as  we 
might  be,  when  another  day  would  probably  place  us  safely 
within  the  lines  of  the  army.  But,  as  the  approaching  cavalry 
was  evidently  not  a  very  strong  force,  I  determined  to  fight,  if 
necessary,  for  our  liberty. 

By  this  time  the  column  had  discovered  our  presence ;  for  it 
halted,  and  threw  out  a  few  troops  to  reconnoiter.  Scarcely 
had  these  men  emerged  from  the  cloud  of  dust  that  enveloped 
the  main  force,  when  I  discovered  they  were  Federals.  Im- 
mensely relieved,  I  rode  out  on  the  road,  and  hailed  them. 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  shouted  a  sergeant  as  he  unslung  his  car- 
bine. 

"  Union  troops,"  I  replied,  "  trying  to  find  the  army." 

The  sergeant  wheeled  his  horse,  and,  followed  by  his  com- 
rades, galloped  back  to  the  column.  In  a  few  minutes  the 
entire  body  of  horsemen  advanced,  and  I  saw  there  were  three 
or  four  squadrons. 

''How  came  you  so  far  in  the  rear?"  demanded  the  major  as' 
we  met  in  the  road. 

"  We  belong  to  the  Fifth  Corps,  and  were  left  on  the  picket- 
line,"  was  my  reply. 

"By  Jove!  this  is  a  lucky  meeting,"  said  the  major  in  a 
gratified  tone.  "  Why,  we  were  coming  after  you  !  The  mis- 
take was.  only  discovered  to-day.  You  did  just  right,  lieuten- 
ant, in  coming  on :  we  shall  now  be  able  to  overtake  the  army 
to-morrow." 

This  was  delightful  news,  for  I  had  no  desire  to  be  an  inde- 


186  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

pendent  commander  any  longer.  My  little  battalion  gave  a 
rousing  cheer  as  the  cavalry  rode  up :  and  we  were  soon  trudg- 
ing on  over  the  road  in  high  spirits,  every  knapsack  being 
taken  by  the  riders  in  order  to  lighten  and  ease  my  men. 

While  Major  Stephens  and  I  rode  forward  at  the  head  of  the 
combined  column,  I  learned  from  him  that  the  army  was  con- 
centrating towards  Centerville,  and  that  it  was  understood  that 
Lee's  advance  was  already  beyond  Winchester,  heading  for 
the  Upper  Potomac.  Another  invasion  of  Maryland  was  in- 
tended, and  we  would  soon  be  on  the  old  ground  where  the 
army  had  maneuvered  the  previous  summer  under  McClellan. 

An  early  start  the  following  morning  enabled  us  to  overtake 
the  rear  of  the  army,  when  my  men  took  back  their  knapsacks, 
and  INIajor  Stephens  bade  me  good-by.  There  was  no  further 
need  of  his  protection,  and  he  was  all  the  more  anxious  to  get 
forward  on  learning  that  Pleasonton  was  moving  his  corps 
towards  the  Loudon  Valley.  It  took  us  another  day  to  catch 
up  with  our  brigade,  our  safe  arrival  being  considered  quite  an 
event.  General  Fletcher  seemed  glad  to  see  us ;  but  how  we 
came  to  be  abandoned,  or  who  was  to  blame,  I  never  knew,  for 
there  seemed  to  be  a  desire  at  headquarters  to  forget  the 
incident. 

I  found  the  army  in  regular  campaign  order;  and  after  a 
week  of  almost  constant  marching  we  crossed  the  Potomac  at 
Edward's  Ferry,  and  advanced  to  the  line  of  the  Monocacy 
River,  halting  at  length  on  the  outskirts  of  Frederick  City  in 
Maryland, 


MOVING    TOWARDS  BATTLE. 


187 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


MOVING   TOWARDS   BATTLE. 

"  His  marches  are  expedients  to  this  town, 
His  forces  strong,  Ms  soldiers  confident." 

OW  the  great  army  lay  in  camps  around  Fred- 
erick   City.     As   yet   nothing   was   definitely 
known  regarding  the  movements  of  the  Con- 
,    federate  army,  beyond  the  fact  that  Lee  was 
■'  ^  already  overrunning  the  rich  and  fertile  valley 
,.  of  the  Cumberland.     We  learned  that  his  ad- 
vance  had   reached   the   Susquehanna   River, 
.,   near  Harrisburg.     All  was  doubt  and  uncer- 
tainty about  our  own  programme.     For  two 
years  we  had  marched  hither  and  thither  while 
"^  ■'«.^~':;#?'         ^^^  gigantic  game  of  war  was  played  by  our 
'■"■"  several  commanders,  and  now  waited  patiently 

for  the  signal  that  was  to  hurl  our  columns  against  the  antago- 
nist we  had  so  often  met  before.  Every  man  in  the  ranks, 
Avhether  he  carried  a  bayonet  or  a  sword,  knew  that  a  great 
and  decisive  battle  was  at  hand ;  yet  all  felt  prepared  to  stand 
the  issue. 

I  had  been  ordered  to  see  a  culvert  in  the  road  near  our 
camp  properly  repaired.  While  overseeing  the  fatigue-party, 
young  Jenkins,  General  Fletcher's  aide,  rode  up. 

^  "  Have  you  heard  the  news,  Wilmot  ?  "  said  he,  reining  in 
his  horse  to  avoid  my  men. 

"  News  !  no,  I've  heard  nothing.  We  rely  on  you  fellows  of 
the  staff  for  that  article,"  I  replied  with  a  laugh.     "  What  is 


188  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

new  now?  Are  we  going  to  move  to-night,  or  to-morrow?  If 
to-night,  I  must  hurry  up  and  finish  this  culvert." 

"Oh!  we  won't  march  to-night.  You  must  know  that 
Hooker  has  been  removed,  and  Meade  has  been  given  the  com- 
mand of  the  army.     That's  news,  isn't  it  ?  " 

"  Yes,  indeed.     Where  did  you  hear  it  ?  " 

"  Down  in  Frederick,  to  be  sure.  General  Hooker  started  for 
Washington  at  noon.  We  are  to  have  the  official  orders  to- 
morrow. Every  thing  is  in  confusion  at  headquarters,  and  no 
wonder:  this  constant  change  of  commanders  plays  the  very 
devil  with  the  army." 

"  You  are  quite  right,  Jenkins.  We  are  like  the  shuttlecock 
in  the  old  school-game." 

"  Well,"  replied  the  young  aide,  gathering  up  his  reins,  "  it's 
a  comfort  old  gray-haired  George  has  got  it  this  time.  If  he 
only  does  as  well  at  the  head  of  the  army  with  his  spectacles  as 
he  did  with  our  corps,  we  men  of  the  Maltese  cross  will  have 
good  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  old  man." 

"  Three  cheers  for  General  Meade  !  "  cried  one  of  our  men. 

The  call  was  responded  to  most  lustily. 

"You  see,  Jenkins,"  said  I,  "the  new  commanding  general 
will  be  popular  in  the  old  Fifth.  But  who's  to  be  our  new 
corps  general  ?     I  hope  it's  one  of  the  regulars." 

"You  have  your  wish,  old  fellow.  Sykes  takes  the  corps, 
and  Ayres  carries  his  long  black  beard  to  the  head  of  our  divis- 
ion. But  I  must  hurry  on,  or  my  brigadier  will  hear  the  news 
before  I  reach  him." 

Thus  came  another  of  those  changes  which  so  often  tried  the 
temper  and  morale  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  General  Meade's 
order  was  read  to  the  troops  the  following  day ;  the  men  smil- 
ing grimly  as  they  listened,  for  these  veterans  had  learned  by 
bitter  experience  how  often  political  intrigue  had  crippled  and 
paralyzed  the  army.  Contrary  to  all  previous  usage,  General 
Meade  refrained  from  issuing  dramatic  bulletins,  evidently 
appreciating  the  fact  that  his  troops  were  not  apt  to  be  roused 


MOVING    TO]VAEI)S  BATTLE.  189 

into  temporary  enthusiasm  by  empty  words  or  loud-sounding 
phrases.  Simple  and  direct  in  his  announcement,  the  new  com- 
mander won  the  confidence  of  his  army  at  once,  finding  them 
responsive  to  his  touch  when  the  emergency  arrived. 

No  sooner  was  the  change  formally  announced,  than  we 
began  moving.  Corps  after  corps  broke  camp  with  accustomed 
celerity,  marching  rapidly  through  the  narrow  streets  of  Fred- 
erick, or  skirting  the  old-fashioned  town  to  the  right  and  the 
left.  Our  corps  was  among  those  to  pass  through  the  quaint 
little  city,  which  we  found  crammed  with  the  impedimenta 
of  war.  Wagon-trains  choked  the  side  streets,  waiting  in 
helpless  confusion  for  the  marching  columns  to  pass,  and  clear 
the  road.  Small  bodies  of  cavalry,  on  escort-duty,  forced  their 
way  through  the  crush  of  vehicles,  while  excited  staff-officers 
galloped  to  and  fro,  carrying  orders  to  the  front  or  rear.  At 
the  door  of  almost  every  house  in  the  main  street,  lounged 
groups  of  mounted  orderlies,  the  men  holding  their  reins  in 
their  hands  in  anticipation  of  a  sudden  call  for  duty.  General 
officers  were  abundant,  showing  that  we  were  approaching  army 
headquarters ;  and  at  every  window  I  saw  the  wondering  faces 
of  women,  as  they  watched  with  bewildered  eyes  the  busy  and 
martial  scene  before  them.  The  fluttering  of  the  tattered  ban- 
ners and  colors,  the  brazen  blare  of  the  bugles,  the  shrill  notes 
of  the  fifes,  the  reverberating  rattle  and  roll  of  the  drums,  gave 
life  and  sound  to  the  picture,  as  regiment  after  regiment,  bri- 
gade after  brigade,  division  after  division,  pushed  forward  witli 
steady  measured  step  to  the  music. 

Marching  on  the  flank  of  my  company  through  the  queer, 
ancient-looking  town,  with  its  picturesque  gables,  its  crooked, 
half-paved  streets,  I  imagined  myself  in  some  European  hamlet. 
The  residents  even  seemed  strangely  foreign,  for  they  appeared 
to  take  but  languid  interest  in  our  movements  through  their 
streets.  The  Federals  were  in  possession  to-day,  to-morrow  it 
might  be  the  Confederates.  Either  way  they  were  pushed 
to  the  wall,  compelled  to  wait  until  the  tide  of  war  drifted 


190  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

away  from  them,  and  left  the  town  to  its  wonted  peace  and 
qniet. 

With  these  fancies  passing  through  my  head,  our  regiment 
came  to  an  old  tavern  that  stood  in  the  heart  of  the  city,  its 
wide  piazza  filled  with  general  staff-officers,  their  broad  shoul- 
der-straps glittering  in  the  glancing  afternoon  sunlight.  From 
the  balcony  above  drooped  the  flag  of  the  army-commander, 
and  under  its  waving  folds  stood  General  Meade.  The  hot- 
tempered  but  good-hearted  veteran  had  checked  the  head  of  his 
old  corps  in  their  wild  greetings  to  his  familiar  face :  so  we  con- 
tinued to  march  before  him,  proudly,  silently,  with  no  other 
recognition  from  our  old  commander  than  the  occasional  lifting 
of  his  cap  as  the  regimental  colors  fell  in  silent  salute  to  his 
rank.  I  only  saw  him  for  a  moment,  but  I  thought  his  eyes 
glistened  behind  his  glasses  as  he  watched  the  corps  march 
past.  Erect  and  motionless  the  new  leader  of  the  mighty  army 
stood  beneath  his  great  banner  as  if  on  parade.  As  the  general 
thus  watched  the  passage  of  the  long  column  of  bayonets,  I 
caught  brief  glimpses  of  Warren's  nervous  features,  and 
Webb's  smiling  bearded  face  as  he  nodded  in  reply  to  some 
remark  of  Hunt  the  artillerist.  A  moment  more,  and  we  were 
gone,  soon  after  entering  the  open  country  beyond  the  town. 

Our  route  now  lay  to  the  right ;  and  as  the  sun  went  down 
we  crossed  a  stone  bridge  which  spanned  the  romantic  wind- 
ing Monocacy,  soon  finding  ourselves  on  a  high  ridge  over- 
looking the  little  city.  As  we  marched  forward  over  the 
macadamized  road,  I  noticed  two  other  columns  of  infantry 
moving  through  the  fields  below  us ;  but  they  were  too  far 
away  for  me  to  distinguish  tlie  corps  symbols  on  the  staff 
ensigns.  In  the  road  under  the  ridge,  between  us  and  the 
distant  infantry,  moved  the  reserve  batteries  of  artillery,  in 
ponderous,  massive  arra}'  ;  the  rumble  of  the  heavy  wheels 
coming  sharp  and  distinct  to  my  ears  through  the  still  air,  as 
the  pieces  jolted  over  the  stony  roadway.  Far  away  beyond 
the  town  glistened  the  white  tops  of  the  endless  supplj^-trains  ; 


MOVING    TOWARDS  BATTLE.  191 

and  beyond  them,  again,  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun  were 
caught  by  the  shining  muskets  of  more  troops  in  rapid  motion  ; 
while  straight  ahead,  on  our  own  road,  I  could  see  the  cavalry 
under  Pleasonton  and  Kilpatrick  as  they  cantered  gayly 
onward  in  advance  of  the  whole  army. 

It  was  evident  by  all  these  signs  that  before  many  days  we 
would  reach  the  expected  battle-field. 

"An'  whare  are  we  going,  leftinant,  annyhow?"  asked  Cor- 
poral Malone  as  he  trotted  along  at  my  elbow.  "  When  are  we 
goin'  to  foight  ?  " 

"  You  are  as  wise  on  that  point,  Dennis,  as  I  am.  We  will 
know  soon  enough  where  the  battle  is  to  be  fought,  when  we 
get  there." 

"  Arrah !  any  fool  knows  that,  iAIaster  Frank.  But  I  liope  we 
won't  be  long  getting  there,  for  this  knapsack  is  a  tiirifle  heavy 
for  convanient  marchin'." 

"  We  must  not  be  impatient,  Dennis,"  said  I.  "  When  it 
does  come,  the  battle  will  bring  death  to  many  of  us." 

"Av  coorse.  That's  the  forthune  of  war,  more's  the  pity. 
But  the  b'yes  are  getting  used  to  that,  like  the  cat  we  gossoons 
used  to  throw  into  the  Liffey  just  for  the  fun  of  seeing  it  crawl 
out  agin." 

"Ah,  Dennis!  you're  the  same  light-hearted  Irishman,  no 
matter  what  happens.  Here  you  are,  far  away  from  the  Liffey, 
fighting  in  a  strange  land,  you  hardly  know  what  for." 

"Shure,  foightin'  comes  as  nateral  to  an  Irishman  as  his 
mother's  milk.  And  as  for  knowing  what  we're  foightin'  fr, 
ain't  it  for  liberty  or  death,  as  my  countryman  Pathrick  Henry 
said  in  the  good  ould  days  whin  the  red  crass  of  England  was 
f  urninst  him  ?  " 

"Well,"  said  I,  laughing,  "I  never  heard  Patrick  Henry 
called  an  Irishman  before,  though  the  name  is  suggestive." 

"  To  be  sure,"  responded  Dennis  confidently.  "  Though  he 
never  trod  the  ould  sod,  he  was  a  thrue  Irishman,  wherever 
he  was  born." 


192  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  He  proved  himself  a  brave  man  in  perilous  times ;  but  he 
was  an  American,  and  stood  up  to  defend  his  native  land,  while 
you  have  no  such  incentive." 

"  That's  a  big  word  I  don't  precisely  understhand,"  responded 
Dennis,  hitching  uneasily  at  his  knapsack.  "  But  shure,  I've 
left  dear  ould  Ireland  for  ever,  and  may  as  well  die  on  the 
battle-field  as  in  my  bed.     It's  the  land  of  liberty,  anyhow." 

"  Too  much  liberty  sometimes.  If  there  had  been  less,  this 
war  would  have  been  avoided." 

So  saying,  I  lapsed  into  silence,  seeing  the  evening  deepen 
into  night,  as  we  moved  slowly  onward.  At  nine  o'clock  the 
corps  halted  for  bivouac  in  some  open  fields. 

The  two  succeeding  days  were  toilsome  ones  ;  for  we  marched 
constantly  from  early  dark  until  dusk,  over  dusty  roads,  past 
fruitful  fields  of  wheat  or  corn,  across  rickety  wooden  bridges 
too  weak  to  bear  the  artillery,  through  thriving  and  peaceful 
villages,  until  we  reached  the  border-line  between  Maryland 
and  Pennsylvania.  Each  night  I  had  flung  myself  on  the 
ground  too  tired  to  care  for  the  supper  Dennis  so  cheerfully 
prepared  for  me ;  and  I  began,  like  him,  to  long  for  the 
approaching  battle.  Any  thing  was  preferable  to  these  fatigu- 
ing, exhausting  marches,  through  rolling  valleys  or  over  steep 
mountains.  My  feet  were  sore,  my  head  seemed  bound  by  a 
band  of  iron.  My  old  wound,  too,  was  beginning  to  make 
itself  felt  at  almost  every  step,  until  it  required  all  my  pride, 
and  strength  of  will,  to  keep  me  in  my  place. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  first  day  of  July  we  reached 
the  picturesque  town  of  Hanover.  Near  the  cross-roads  were 
lying  the  bloated  carcasses  of  half  a  dozen  cavalry  horses, 
evidently  slain  in  a  brief  skirmish  between  Pleasonton's  and 
Stuart's  troops,  a  few  hours  before  our  arrival. 

Close  to  the  road,  near  the  scene  of  the  cavalry  fight,  stood 
a  farmhouse,  at  the  gate  of  which  was  an  old-fashioned  pump 
and  horse-trough.  The  pump-handle  was  in  constant  motion, 
as  the  weary,  foot-sore  soldiers  flocked  around  it  to  quench 


MOVING    TOWARDS  BATTLE. 


193 


their  thirst  with  the  delicious  water  that  flowed  into  the  mossy 
trough. 

Coming  up  and  waiting  for  my  turn  to  drink,  I  noticed  a 
sunburnt,  gray-haired  man,  leaning  over  his  rude  gate,  watch- 
ing the  troops.  He  was  dressed  in  a  faded,  well-worn  suit  of 
homespun,  having  no  doubt  spent  the  day  in  the  hayfield ;  and 
I  could  see  that  he  was  pleased  that  his  pump  was  doing  such 
good  service. 


v^4J#w 


THE  CONFEDERATE  GRAVE  UNDER  THE  ROSES. 


"  Good-evening,  sir,"  said  I  to  him,  removing  my  cap,  and 
mopping  the  perspiration  from  my  face.  "It's  rather  hot 
weather,  this,  for  marching." 

"  I  'spose  it  'tis,  though  I  never  did  any  marching,"  was  his 
brief  response. 

As  the  old  farmer  uttered  the  words  he  moved  a  little  ;  and 
my  eye  was  attracted  by  a  new-made  grave  among  a  clump  of 
rose-bushes,  just  inside  the  fence.  Wondering  at  the  sight,  I 
ventured  to  ask  the  reason  for  its  being  there. 


194  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Whose  grave  is  that  ? "  said  I,  pointing  to  the  mound  of 
fresh  earth. 

"  A  reb's,"  he  replied  laconically.  "  One  that  got  killed  in 
the  fight  the  horsemen  had  here  to-day." 

"  Indeed  !  and  so  you  buried  him." 

"  Yes  :  buried  him  myself.  They  left  him  lyin'  in  the  road, 
out  thar,  just  as  he  fell.     I  could  do  no  less,  you  know." 

"  Of  course !  but  why  did  you  make  your  rose-garden  a 
graveyard  ?  " 

"  Wa-al,  it  was  the  wimmen  that  wanted  it  so.  Yer  see, 
stranger,"  and  the  old  man's  voice  trembled  and  grew  husky, 
"  yer  see,  I  had  a  boy  once.  He  went  out  with  the  Pennsyl- 
vany  Resarves,  and  fou't  along  with  McClellan,  down  thar 
among  those  Chicka-oming  swamps.  And  one  day  a  letter 
come.  It  was  writ  by  a  woman ;  and  she  told  us  as  how  a 
battle  had  bin  fou't  near  her  house,  while  she  and  another 
woman  lay  hid  all  day  in  the  cellar.  When  the  battle  was 
o'er,  them  wimmen  came  out,  and  found  our  Johnny  thar,  his 
hair  all  bloody  and  tangled  in  the  grass.  So  they  digged  a 
grave  in  the  soft  earth  of  their  gardin,  and  buried  my  boy  right 
amongst  their  flowers,  for  the  sake  of  the  mother  who  would 
never  see  him  agin.  So  when  I  saw  that  poor  reb  a-layin'  out 
thar,  all  dead  and  bloody  in  the  dust  of  the  road,  I  sed  I'd 
bury  him.  And  the  gals,  they  sed,  'Yes,  father,  bury  him 
among  the  rose-trees.'     That's  why  I  did  it,  stranger." 

Then  the  poor  old  father's  voice  was  choked  by  a  smothered 
sob,  while  a  faint  cry  behind  him  betrayed  the  presence  of  a 
sister  to  the  dead  hero  lying  in  his  garden  grave  near  Rich- 
mond. 

"  Indeed,  sir,"  said  I,  feeling  my  own  throat  tighten  over  the 
sweet  pathos  of  the  little  story,  "  I  can  appreciate  the  love  you 
bear  your  dead  son.  It  must  be  some  consolation  to  remember 
what  you  have  done  for  the  man  whose  body  lies  there  under 
the  bushes." 

"  Yes,  stranger :  that 'ere  grave  ain't  much,"  —  and  the  old 


MOVING    TOWARDS  BATTLE.  195 

man  turned  to  look  at  the  rude  mound  his  hands  had  made, 

"  it  ain't  much,  but  it  will  be  something  to  remember  our  Johnny 
by."^ 

Bidding  the  farmer  good-by,  I  hastened  after  the  regiment, 
my  eyes  dimmed  with  tears,  but  my  spirits  strangely  strength- 
ened by  this  touching  instance  of  human  love  and  forgiveness. 


196 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


A   NIGHT   MAKCH, 


Now  was  tlie  noon  of  night;  and  all  was  still, 
Save  where  the  sentinel  paced  bis  rounds." 

UR   corps   went   into    camp    just   beyond   the 
Pennsylvanian   town   of   Hanover,  in  a  wide 
field   of  ripening  wheat,  which  was   trodden 
fiat  as  the  divisions  of  infantry  marclied  over 
it   to  their  respective  positions.     The  farmer 
owning   the   land   seemed  the  picture  of  de- 
'm^  spair,  as   he   stood   at   the  gap   in  the  fence, 
watching  with   astonished   eyes   the   ruthless 
destruction   of  his    grain.     The    unfortunate 
farmer  becoming  troublesome,  I  was  stationed 
in  the  road  with  a  guard  for  the  double  pur- 
pose  of  keeping  him   quiet,  and  at  the  same 
time  preventing  our  men   from  straggling  towards  the    town, 
its  modest  church-spires  being  visible  beyond  a  strip  of  woods 
on  our  right. 

"  I  say,  Mr.  Officer,"  cried  the  man,  as  I  pushed  him  aside 
with  my  sword  to  let  the  column  pass,  "you've  no  right  to  go 
in  there.  That's  my  wheat  them  soldiers  are  treading  into  the 
dirt." 

"  Oh  !  we  won't  argue  the  question  of  rights,"  said  I:  "  when 
on  the  march,  as  Ave  are,  armies  can  not  stop  for  trifles.  At  any 
rate,  your  grain  is  doomed:  so  stand  aside,  sir,  and  let  the 
troops  go  on." 

"  But  that's  wheat.     Do  you  understand  ?     Wheat !     Almost 


A   NIGHT  MARCU.  197 

ready  to  cut  too.  Why  didn't  that  general  of  yours  take  his 
men  into  the  meadows  ?  The  grass  there  is  all  mown.  Why 
does  he  spoil  my  wheat  ?  " 

"  My  good  man,"  I  replied,  "  I  know  it  seems  hard  to  destroy 
your  wheat-crop;  but  don't  you  see  that  our  artillery  and 
wagons  are  going  into  the  meadows  ?  Had  Ave  gone  there,  they 
would  have  been  compelled  to  take  your  wheat-field,  and 
ploughed  ground  is  too  soft  for  wheels.  Besides,  they  need  the 
hay  for  their  horses  and  mules." 

"  I'm  a  ruined  man,"  groaned  the  distracted  farmer.  "  Why, 
now  they  are  carrying  off  my  fences  !  What  are  they  going  to 
do  with  them  ?  " 

"Burn  'em,  me  darlint,"  said  Dennis,  who  had,  as  usual, 
chosen  to  join  my  temporary  guard.  "  Shure,  thim  rails  makes 
illigant  fires." 

"Fires!  Burn  them!  Why,  they'll  tear  down  my  house 
next." 

"  Come,  come,  my  friend.  There's  no  use  your  staying  here, 
for  you  can  not  stop  the  destruction  of  your  property.  You 
had  far  better  see  the  general,  and  get  his  certificate  of  the 
damage  done.     The  government  will  pay  you  for  it." 

"  That  so  ?  Well,  if  I  get  the  pay  for  it  I  don't  care  how 
much  they  take,"  exclaimed  the  farmer,  as  he  started  across 
the  fields  to  find  General  Sykes. 

"  An'  do  ye  think  Uncle  Sam  will  pay  him  ?  "  queried  Dennis, 

a  look  of  blank  astonishment  spreading  over  his  fun-loving  face. 

"  One  of  these  days,  I  suppose,  though  there  won't  be  much 

haste  about  it,"  I  replied  as  we  fell  in  the  rear  of  the  brigade 

to  rejoin  our  regiment. 

Our  expectations  of  a  quiet  night's  rest  were,  however, 
doomed  to  be  disappointed ;  for  the  men  had  scarcely  finished 
pitching  their  little  shelter-tents  when  the  bugles  sounded  the 
ominous  call  to  strike  them  again  for  the  march.  In  less  than 
an  hour  after  we  had  entered  the  wheat-field  the  entire  corps 
was  in  rapid  motion. 


198  BULLET  ANT)   SHELL. 

The  sun  was  dropping  behind  the  range  of  hills  we  had 
crossed  during  the  afternoon,  as  we  entered  the  main  road. 
We  soon  learned  the  cause  of  this  sudden,  unexpected  move- 
ment ;  for  word  ran  along  the  line  that  the  Confederate  army 
had  been  encountered  in  force  at  a  village  called  Gettys- 
burg, that  there  had  been  a  heavy  skirmish  by  the  First  and 
Eleventh  Corps  under  General  Reynolds,  and  that  the  general 
himself  had  been  killed,  so  the  engagement  must  have  been  a 
determined  one.  Indeed,  Major  Harding  told  me  that  General 
Sykes  had  received  peremptory  orders  to  march  all  night,  and, 
if  possible,  reach  the  scene  of  hostilities  before  daylight :  we 
had  therefore  a  tramp  of  twenty-odd  miles  before  us.  This 
was  nice  news  after  the  thirty-six  miles  we  had  traveled  since 
sunrise ;  but  the  necessity  was  evidently  an  urgent  one,  for 
the  officers  were  instructed  to  keep  their  men  well  together. 

Tired  and  exhausted  as  I  was  by  the  fatigues  of  the  past  few 
days,  since  leaving  Frederick  City,  the  knowledge  that  Ave 
were  now  hurrying  to  the  battle-field  gave  me  fresh  strength ; 
while  Dennis  was  bursting  with  delight  at  the  prospect  of 
another  scrimmage,  his  sallies  keeping  the  company  in  excel- 
lent humor. 

As  darkness  fell  we  entered  a  string  of  villages,  the  inmates 
who  were  gathered  at  their  gates  being  wild  with  enthusiasm 
over  our  coming.  Stalwart  men  stood  unweariedly  pumping 
water  for  the  thirsty  troops,  while  the  women  handed  more 
fortunate  soldiers  broad  slices  of  bread-and-butter  with  rich 
draughts  of  pure  milk.  Over  the  gateways  hung  lighted 
lanterns,  and  from  the  limbs  of  apple-trees  the  stars  and  stripes 
fluttered  in  the  cool  night  air.  Our  veterans  cheered  lustily  as 
they  passed  under  the  flags,  while  the  villagers  waved  their 
hats  and  handkerchiefs  to  the  men  passing  onward  to  do  battle 
for  them.     It  was  an  exciting  and  wonderful  scene. 

Many  a  touching  incident  I  witnessed  duiing  this  memora- 
ble night  march.  Young  girls  shed  tears  as  they  watched  the 
brothers  of  other  women  march  on  to  possible  death;   while 


A   NIGHT  MABCH.  199 

many  a  soldier,  begrimed  with  dust  and  exhausted  by  fatigue, 
thought  of  the  old  home  where  he  had  left  his  own  loved  ones. 
Stopping  for  a  moment  at  the  gate  of  a  dwelling,  I  noticed  a 
young  mother  leaning  over  it  with  her  chubby  child  in  her 
arms.  Above  the  woman's  head  swung  a  couple  of  common 
stable-lanterns,  their  soft  light  falling  full  upon  her  face.  The 
child  was  crowing  with  delight  at  the  strange  pageant,  as  it 
watched  the  armed  host  pass  on. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  ma'am,"  said  Jim  Manners,  one  of  my 
men,  as  he  dropped  the  heel  of  his  musket  on  the  ground,  and 
peered  wistfully  into  the  faces  of  the  mother  and  her  child, 
—  "I  beg  pardon,  but  may  I  kiss  that  baby  of  yours ?  I've  one 
jiist  like  him  at  home ;  at  least,  he  was  when  I  last  saw  him  two 
years  ago." 

The  mother,  a  sympathetic  tear  rolling  down  her  blooming 
cheek,  silently  held  out  the  child.  Jim  pressed  his  unshaven 
face  to  its  innocent,  smiling  lips  for  a  moment,  and  then  walked 
on,  saying,  — 

"  God  bless  you,  ma'am,  for  that !  God  bless  you  !  " 

Poor  Jim  Manners  !  He  never  saw  his  boy  again  in  life  ,  for 
a  bullet  laid  him  low  the  next  day  as  we  made  our  first  charge, 
and  he  found  his  grave  on  the  field  where  so  many  thousand 
brave  fellows  fell.  As  we  buried  him  in  the  twilight,  I  remem- 
bered the  kiss  he  had  given  the  stranger's  child,  drawing  from 
the  incident  another  lesson  of  the  depth  of  human  love. 

So  rapidly  did  the  corps  march  during  the  night,  that,  about 
one  in  the  morning,  we  had  arrived  within  striking  distance  of 
the  position  assigned  us ;  then  came  the  welcome  order  to  lie 
down  and  rest.  As  the  column  halted  in  the  darkness,  the 
men  threw  themselves  on  the  narrow  strips  of  sward  by  the 
roadside,  sleeping  in  long  rows  as  they  lay  wrapped  in  their 
blankets  and  ponchos. 

For  me,  however,  sleep  was  not  so  easy.  The  excitement  of 
the  night  march,  and  the  pain  of  my  swollen  foot,  as  the  tender 
flesh  of  my  old  wound  rebelled  against  the  strain  put  upon  it, 


200  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

combined  to  drive  slumber  from  my  eyes.  As  I  lay  on  my 
blankets,  gazing  at  the  stars,  my  thoughts  were  busy  with  the 
past,  back  to  the  days  of  my  boyhood  when  there  was  no 
dream  of  civil  war  in  the  land.  I  saw  in  fancy  the  quiet  old 
home,  as  it  stood  under  the  shadows  of  the  big  elms,  while  the 
face  of  my  dear  mother,  who  at  that  moment  might  be  praying 
for  the  safety  of  her  boy,  seemed  to  be  close  to  mine.  Then  I 
thought  of  Kate  in  her  native  valley ;  and  we  were  once  more 
galloping  over  the  picturesque  roads,  the  woods  resounding 
with  our  light  and  joyful  laughter. 

But  how  different  were  these  fancied  scenes  from  those  around 
me !  A  confused  murmur  of  sounds  came  to  my  ears  amid  the 
darkness,  for  the  movements  of  troops  had  by  no  means  ended. 
The  low,  monotonous  rumble  of  artillery  ran  along  the  ground ; 
and,  as  I  leaned  on  my  elbow,  I  could  distinguish  the  outlines 
of  the  heavy  guns  and  their  caissons,  as  the  batteries  moved 
slowly  forward  to  some  advantageous  position  selected  for 
them.  Now  and  then  a  hoarse  command  was  uttered,  followed 
by  a  sudden  increase  of  speed  ;  and  the  earth  under  me  trem- 
bled and  shook  with  the  jarring  motion  of  the  wheels  as  they 
were  jolted  over  the  deep  ruts  in  the  road.  Then  came  a 
curious  clattering  sound,  which  my  accustomed  ear  knew  to 
be  caused  by  the  hurrying  movements  of  cavalry,  and  soon 
after  a  long  column  of  horsemen  passed  up  the  middle  of  the 
road,  by  the  side  of  which  ray  comrades  were  so  calmly  sleep- 
ing. Silently  yet  rapidly  these  mounted  men  rode  by,  their 
heavy  sabers  jingling  in  musical  cadence  as  their  horses'  hoofs 
thundered  on  the  soft  earth, 

"  Steady,  men  !  "  said  an  authoritative  voice  ;  and  the  column 
slackened  its  pace  for  a  minute  or  two,  only  to  be  put  into 
swifter  movement  by  the  sharper  cry  of,  "  Forward  !  " 

The  cavalry  gone,  I  began  to  hear  the  creak  of  more  wheels, 
and  saw,  in  the  fields  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  the  faint 
outlines  of  the  ammunition  and  supply  trains  going  into  park  to 
await  further  orders.     As  I  saw  wagon  after  wagon  move  into 


A   NIGHT  MARCH.  201 

line  with  its  fellows,  their  white  tops  glistening  in  the  uncertain 
starlight,  I  knew  we  were  still  in  the  rear :  the  projected  battle- 
ground must  be  some  distance  beyond. 

Listening  to  all  these  confused  sounds,  I  realized  the  majesty 
and  magnificence  of  war,  the  fascination  and  romance  that 
surround  the  soldier  on  actual  field-service.  The  masses  of 
infantry,  the  columns  of  swiftly  moving  cavalry,  the  ponderous 
field-batteries,  and  the  interminable  supply-trains  supplied  the 
principal  features  of  the  wild  picture,  which  had  a  solemn 
dignity  about  it  one  could  not  ignore.  To  the  inexperienced 
eye  the  confusion  would  seem  inextricable ;  but  I  was  aware 
that  there  was  a  system  in  it  all,  that  a  decided,  persistent  plan 
of  operations  was  being  carried  out. 

Then  I  thought  of  the  uncertainty  of  my  fate  during  the 
next  few  hours.  Thousands  of  brave  soldiers,  who  had  passed 
scathless  through  many  a  hard-fought  battle,  would  on  the 
morrow  see  their  last  fight,  make  their  final  charge,  and  from 
living  men,  full  of  daring  ambition  and  fervent  hope,  become 
mere  clods  of  clay.  Many  a  fine  fellow  would,  in  the  flush  of 
his  manhood,  be  lying  the  next  night  cold  and  stiff  on  the  field  , 
and  beside  these  fated  ones  there  were  others,  who,  though  still 
alive,  would  be  writhing  in  pain  from  wounds  that  might  yet 
end  in  death. 

Despite  all  these  horrors  that  I  knew  were  to  come,  there 
was  a  glamour  over  my  eyes ;  for  I  began  once  again  to  glory 
in  anticipation  over  the  turmoil  and  fierceness  of  the  approach- 
ing struggle.  I  even  forgot  the  grave  issues  at  stake,  so  readily 
does  the  trained  soldier  become  hardened  in  his  trade.  It  mat- 
tered but  little  to  me  at  that  moment,  whether  slavery  was 
crushed,  or  the  Union  of  the  States  preserved.  I  recked  nothing 
of  the  ends  in  view.  It  was  only  the  tremendous  game  of  war 
I  felt  an  interest  in :  beyond  that,  there  was  no  thought  of  the 
future. 

It  is  this  feeling  that  molds  the  soldier  into  a  true  hero,  and 
explains  the  motives  of  so  many  brave  men  passing  from  coun- 


202  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

try  to  country,  from  camp  to  camp,  only  eager  for  and  intent 
on  employment  in  the  field  of  danger.  To  these  soldiers  of 
fortune,  the  cause  they  fight  for  is  of  secondary  importance. 
What  they  seek  is  the  exhilarating  excitement  of  battle,  the 
shock  and  clash  of  arms :  their  whole  aim  is  to  join  in  some 
headlong,  desperate  charge.  The  spice  of  danger  is  the  great 
charm  that  possesses  them,  for  to  your  true  soldier  the  fear  of 
death  never  comes.  He  may  experience  a  nameless  dread  at 
the  first  moment  of  going  into  action ;  but,  that  once  over,  he 
is  cool  and  collected,  yet  full  of  daring  and  momentary  rage. 
The  glare  and  smoke  of  battle  intoxicate  him :  the  shadow  of 
death  that  liovers  over  him  is  lost  sight  of  in  the  brightness 
and  grandeur  of  the  scene  in  which  he  is  an  actor. 

O  War !  War  !  How  natural  thou  art  to  mankind  !  How 
slow  would  be  the  progress  of  history  or  civilization,  did  not 
thy  torrent  of  fire  and  blood  sweep  aside  every  obstacle,  thus 
doing  at  a  single  stroke  what  years  of  diplomacy  would  fail  to 
accomplish ! 

Lying  thus  on  the  moist  and  fragrant  earth,  with  these  con- 
fused fancies  flitting  through  my. brain,  I  thought  once  more  of 
Tom  INIarshall,  and  wondered  if  he  were  still  alive.  It  was  now 
almost  three  years  since  we  had  parted  on  the  bridge,  but  be- 
yond the  one  letter  received  from  him  in  college  I  had  heard 
nothing  from  or  of  him. 

"  Oh  that  this  struggle  were  over !  "  I  exclaimed,  forgetting 
all  about  the  romance  of  war.  "  Would  that  to-morrow's  battle 
were  the  last !  " 

With  these  words  on  my  lips,  my  tired  body  succumbed  at 
length  to  fatigue,  and  I  sank  into  a  dreamless  and  heavy  slum- 
ber. 


CHARGE  AND   COUNTER-CHARGE. 


203 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


CHAEGE   AND   COUNTER-CHAKGE. 


"  The  shout 
Of  battle  now  begun,  and  rusliing  sound 
Of  onset,  ended  soon  each  milder  thought." 

HEN  the  bugles  of  our  corps  rang  out  the 
reveille,  the  sun  had  already  risen  clear  and 
warm,  throwing  long  red  streaks  of  light  over 
the  fields  and  woods.  Leaping  to  my  feet,  I 
found  every  thing  already  in  commotion. 
Thousands  of  little  camp-fires  were  blazing  in 
the  fields,  as  the  men  prepared  their  frugal 
breakfasts  ;  the  lines  of  stacked  muskets  alone 
showing  the  position  of  the  different  regiments 
and  brigades.  The  mists  were  rising  in  rifts 
and  circling  wreaths  under  the  combined  influ- 
~'~"^"  ence  of   the  sun's  rays   and   the  heat  of  the 

countless  fires,  only  lingering  among  the  tree-tops  of  the  adja- 
cent woods.  The  atmosphere  was,  however,  still  raw  and  chilly; 
the  heavy  dew  that  had  fallen  during  the  night  making  the 
grass  quite  wet. 

In  every  direction  there  were  signs  of  intense  activity. 
Troops  were  moving  up,  the  wagons  had  already  drawn  out  of 
park,  and  the  hum  of  many  voices  mingled  with  the  neighing 
of  horses  or  the  bellowing  of  mules.  It  was,  indeed,  a  true  • 
battle  morning,  the  beginning  of  a  struggle  the  result  of  which 
none  could  forecast.  As  I  looked  about,  watching  the  march- 
ing columns  or  listening  to  the  careless  laughter  of  the  soldiers 


204  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

near  me,  I  realized,  that  many  a  joj'ous  fellow,  now  onl}^  intent 
on  his  hard-tack  and  coffee,  woiild  never  see  another  sunrise  or 
respond  to  the  familiar  reveille. 

"  What  are  you  thinking  about,  Wilmot  ? "  asked  Captain 
Burch.     "  Getting  nervous  over  the  battle  ?  " 

"  Not  at  all.  It  was  the  thought  that  so  many  lives  must 
be  sacrificed  to-day." 

"  It  will  be  a  tremendous  fight,  no  doubt,"  remarked  the  cap- 
tain.    "  Some  difference  from  our  first  battle  at  Big  Bethel,  eh  ?  " 

"  That  was  only  a  brief  skirmish,  Burch,  compared  to  what 
we  are  going  to  have  here." 

"Leftinant,  the  coffee's  ready,"  said  Dennis.  "Won't  you 
come  too,  captain  ?  " 

"  Of  course  I  will,"  replied  the  captain.  "  I  am  as  hungry  as 
a  wild-cat." 

The  scene  by  daylight  was  far  different  from  what  I  had 
imagined  it  to  be  in  the  darkness.  To  my  surprise,  I  saw  we 
were  near  a  cluster  of  houses,  the  outskirts  of  Gettysburg.  It 
had  evidently  been  a  beautiful  spot  before  the  remorseless  tread 
of  the  army  came  to  crush  out  its  smiling  features.  The  fences 
had  disappeared  for  fuel,  a  few  scattered  posts  alone  marking 
where  they  had  stood,-  even  the  hedges  were  destroyed  as 
wagons  and  cannon  had  been  cruelly  driven  through  them ; 
and  a  barn  near  by  was  a  complete  wreck,  the  boarding  having 
been  stripped  from  the  frame  to  strengthen  a  bridge  over  the 
creek  for  the  passage  of  our  artillery.  Ruin  and  destruction 
had  begun :  the  iron  heel  of  war  betrayed  its  presence  every- 
where, the  ruthless  despoil  of  property  attesting  the  unavoida- 
ble severity  of  all  military  operations. 

Although  our  corps  had  not  yet  received  orders  to  move, 
other  troops  were  on  the  march ;  for  a  column  of  infantry 
was  hurrying  across  the  fields  to  our  left,  their  artillery  pass- 
ing up  the  road  we  had  occupied  during  the  night.  As  the 
guns  rumbled  along,  I  noticed  that*  they  were  stripped  and 
ready  for  action.     Far  away  in  the  rear  I  could  see  another 


CHARGE  AND   COUJSfTER-VUAEGE.  205 

corps  coming  up,  heading  to  the  right.     Tlie  army  was  girding 
up  its  loins  for  the  struggle. 

While  Captain  Burch  and  I  were  quietly  sipping  the  coffee 
Dennis  had  provided,  an  ominous  rattle  of  musketry  began 
beyond  some  woods  in  front,  showing  that  the  pickets  of  the 
opposing  armies  were  already  at  work.  This  was  the  overture 
to  the  terrible  concert;  these  dropping  shots  sounding  musically 
in  our  ears,  as  their  sharp  patter  rose  and  fell.  Before  we  had 
finished  breakfast  the  rolling  musketry  grew  heavier;  and  a 
battery  opened  a  desultory  fire  for  a  few  minutes,  only  to  lapse 
into  silence  again,  as  the  picket  duel  slackened,  and  finally 
ceased  altogether. 

Our  bugles  now  began  their  brazen  clamor :  so  I  hastily  swal- 
loAved  the  last  of  my  coffee,  and,  buckling  on  my  sword  and 
revolver,  answered  the  call  for  our  regiment  to  fall  in.  A  few 
minutes  after,  the  entire  corps  was  in  motion.  We  went  for- 
ward for  about  a  mile,  when  the  head  of  the  column  turned  off 
into  a  piece  of  open  woods,  on  the  right  of  the  road,  where  the 
line  of  battle  was  formed.  As  no  skirmishers  were  thrown 
forward,  I  knew  we  were  still  on  the  interior  line,  so  flung  my- 
self on  the  ground  while  the  corps  awaited  orders. 

An  hour  passed  in  silence,  our  brigade  being  moved  a  few 
hundred  yards  to  the  left  to  straighten  the  line.  While  thus 
occupied,  an  aide  galloped  up,  and  distributed  General  Meade's 
order  to  his  army.  On  the  brief  address  being  read  by  Fitz- 
gerald, our  adjutant,  we  learned  that  our  general  intended  to 
give  all  the  honors  of  the  battle  to  his  soldiers,  relying  on  their 
steadfast  courage  to  successfully  carry  out  the  simple  plan  of 
operations  he  had  decided  upon.  We  were  reminded  that  to 
win  the  battle  was  to  shorten  the  war,  that  to  lose  it  would 
entail  fresh  sacrifices  on  the  army  and  the  nation.  Our  antag- 
onists were  as  brave  as  ourselves :  so  it  would  require  all  our 
heroism,  strategy,  and  strength,  to  obtain  a  victory.  Such  was 
the  simple,  unpretending  appeal  of  our  general;  and  it  was 
curious  to  observe  the  effect  it  had  upon  the  men  in  the  ranks. 


206  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

Every  face  wore  a  look  of  resolution,  every  hand  grasped  its 
musket  more  firmly.  It  was  evident  our  leader  had  shrewdly 
touched  the  right  chord  this  time.  The  battle  Avas  already  half 
won. 

This  brief  ceremony  over,  the  different  brigades  were  formed 
in  masses ;  and  the  corps  marched  slowly,  deliberately,  en  eche- 
lon, through  the  woods  into  some  scattered  fields.  Finally  we 
entered  a  bit  of  open  country ;  and,  as  the  command  passed 
obliquely  over  some  rising  ground,  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  the 
main  line,  the  outlines  of  the  batteries  in  position  being  clearly 
defined  against  the  cloud  of  white  smoke  raised  by  the  inces- 
sant skirmish-fire  now  going  on.  Here  we  were  halted,  word 
being  passed  that  we  were  again  to  occupy  our  old  position  of 
reserve. 

It  was  evident  that  the  battle  would  soon  begin  in  earnest, 
that  we  were  only  to  be  summoned  when  a  decisive  blow  was 
to  be  dealt.  It  was  an  old  experience  with  vis.  Finding  that 
no  further  maneuvers  were  contemplated,  the  men  threw  them- 
selves on  the  soft  earth,  and  fell  asleep.  Having  passed  so 
wakeful  a  night,  I  slumbered  with  the  rest. 

I  had  been  asleep  some  hours,  when  the  headquarter  bugles 
rang  out  the  alarm ;  every  man  springing  instinctively  to  his 
feet,  as  the  shrill  notes  sounded  in  their  ears.  The  sharp  call 
was  repeated  again  and  again,  as  the  several  commands  took  up 
the  refrain,  the  entire  corps  standing  to  arms  before  they  had 
ceased.  Then  I  saw  General  Sykes  gallop  forward  with  his  stafp 
over  the  field ;  and  the  next  moment  our  division  began  follow- 
ing him  towards  the  main  line,  now  fiercely  engaged  from  right 
to  left. 

"What's  the  matter?"  I  inquired  of  Major  Harding:  "where 
are  we  going?" 

"Away  to  the  left,  somewhere,"  he  replied:  "our  line  has 
got  doubled  up  there.  At  least,  so  said  the  aide  who  brought 
the  orders.  He  must  have  come  right  through  the  line  of  fire, 
for  his  face  was  bleeding  badly  when  he  galloped  up." 


CHARGE  AND   COUNTER-CHARGE.  207 

"  How  '  doubled  up  '  ?     I  don't  understand,"  said  I. 

"  General  Fletcher  sent  our  colonel  word  that  Sickles  at  the 
head  of  the  Third  Corps  has  got  into  a  hole ;  so  I  sui^jjose  we 
are  going  to  his  assistance." 

"  Close  up,  men,  close  up  !  "  shouted  Colonel  Lloyd,  turning 
round  in  his  saddle.  "  Major  Harding,  keep  the  men  well  up 
together  there,  in  the  center.  We  shall  be  on  the  double-quick 
in  a  minute." 

The  crisis  was  assuredly  a  critical  one ;  for,  as  we  were  get- 
ting the  column  into  tolerably  good  shape,  the  voice  of  our 
colonel  was  again  heard.  Looking  up,  I  saw  him  standing  in 
his  stirrups,  waving  his  sword,  and  urging  the  regiment  forward 
on  the  run.  By  this  time  we  had  entered  a  narrow  road,  with 
thick  hedges  on  either  side ;  and  I  saw  that  the  first  division, 
under  Griffin,  was  moving  over  the  field  on  our  right  in 
columns  by  brigades,  as  though  anxious  to  reach  the  scene  of 
conflict  before  us.  We  went  on  in  this  pell-mell  fashion  for 
over  a  mile,  still  obliquing  to  the  left ;  the  shells  from  the  Con- 
federate batteries  beginning  to  fly  over  our  heads  as  we  ad- 
vanced. But  their  guns  had  not  yet  got  the  proper  range,  so 
we  managed  to  hold  together  pretty  well. 

All  at  once  a  deafening  roar  of  rapid  cannonading  broke 
out  near  the  head  of  our  column,  as  the  corps  batteries,  gallop- 
ing furiously  forward,  unlimbered  and  went  into  action.  The 
musketry  we  were  approaching  now  grew  more  intense  and 
vengeful.  It  was  quite  evident  that  before  many  minutes  we 
should  be  in  the  midst  of  the  mSlee. 

"  General  Fletcher  !  For  God's  sake,  hurry  up  your  brigade  !  " 
cried  a  young  staff-officer  as  his  horse  leaped  over  the  hedge 
into  the  road.     "  Make  haste,  sir,  or  you  will  be  too  late." 

As  he  uttered  the  words  in  a  passionate  manner,  the  speaker 
once  more  plunged  his  spurs  into  the  dripping  flanks  of  his 
foaming  steed,  and  galloped  off  to  urge  haste  on  Griffin's 
troops.  He  was  but  a  boy  in  years,  though  a  veteran  in  cour- 
age; and  I  watched  him  admiringly  as  he  dashed  across  the 


208  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

field.  He  had  ridden  scarcely  a  dozen  rods  when  I  saw  a  puff 
of  white  smoke  break  over  his  head,  showing  that  a  shell  had 
burst ;  while  at  the  same  instant  the  doomed  officer  reeled  in 
his  saddle,  and  then  fell  headlong  with  his  horse  to  the  ground. 
Both  had  been  killed.  The  young  soldier  was  at  rest:  the  re- 
mainder of  the  battle  must  be  fovight  Avithout  him. 

But  I  had  no  time  to  reflect  upon  his  fate,  for  just  then  we 
were  called  to  face  our  own.  As  we  reached  the  crest  of  a 
rise  in  the  road,  the  situation  of  affairs  was  revealed  at  a  glance. 
Below,  in  a  narrow  sort  of  glen,  was  massed  the  left  of  the 
Third  Corps,  fighting  stubbornly,  but  confusedly,  with  a  strong 
force  of  the  enemy.  Colors  waved  tumultuously  amidst  the 
wedged  mass  of  men,  while  mounted  officers  wildly  endeavored 
to  restore  order,  and  reform  the  shattered  ranks.  A  merciless 
fire  of  musketry  and  grape-shot  was  being  poured  into  the  flank 
of  the  devoted  corps,  and  for  the  moment  it  seemed  as  if  the 
enemy  were  carrying  every  thing  before  them. 

General  Fletcher,  our  brigade  commander,  was  now  riding  at 
the  side  of  our  column,  uttering  some  orders ;  but  so  deafening 
was  the  roar  of  musketry  and  cannon,  I  could  only  understand 
by  the  look  on  his  face,  and  the  movement  of  his  sword-arm, 
that  he  was  urging  us  forward.  At  that  moment  thirty  or 
forty  men  came  hurrying  by  in  a  body  on  their  way  to  the 
rear.  Those  in  the  center  were  carrying  a  stretcher  on  their 
shoulders,  and  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  a  velvet  cuff  among  the 
blankets. 

"Who  is  it?"  cried  two  or  three  of  our  men. 

"  General  Sickles,"  was  the  whispered  reply. 

"Much  hurt?" 

"  Leg  shattered  by  a  shell.     May  be  dying." 

As  the  hospital  party  disappeared,  our  division  rushed  for- 
ward with  a  wild  hurrah,  in  columns  by  brigade.  Soon  piercing 
the  confused  lines  of  the  enfiladed  corps,  we  threw  ourselves  in 
front,  and  began  foi'ming  in  line  of  battle.  My  regiment  hap- 
pened to  halt  at  the  edge  of  a  small  clump  of  woods,  lying  a 


CHARGE  AND   COUNTER-CHARGE. 


209 


little  way  to  the  right  of  the  Little  Round  Top ;  and  as  we  fell 
into  position,  the  entire  brigade  opened  a  well-directed  volley 
on  a  heavy  force  of  Confederates  coming  upon  our  front. 

Scarcely  had  the  men  begun  emptying  their  muskets,  when 
an  order  came  to  cease  firing  and  prepare  to  charge.  Hastily 
reloading  their  pieces,  our  men  stood  pretty  steady  under  the 
galling  practice  of  the  enemy's  batteries.  It  was  a  painful 
period  of  suspense,  to  wait  thus  for  the  word ;  but  it  was  of 


GENERAL  SICKLES,    WOUNDED. 


brief  duration,  for  just  then,  the  bugles  sounding  the  advance, 
away  we  dashed  across  the  rocky  hollow. 

Right  in  front,  on  the  other  side  of  the  glen,  stood  a  battery 
of  some  three  or  four  wide-mouthed  Napoleon  guns.  It  was  to 
take  or  silence  these  that  the  brigade  was  sent  forward. 

"  God  bless  you.  Master  Frank  !  "  exclaimed  Dennis  earnest- 
ly, as  he  seized  my  hand.  "  We  mayn't  see  each  other  alive 
again.     Be  jabers  !  but  this  is  the  divil's  own  scrimmage." 

I  returned  the  honest  corporal's  grasp  without  a  word,  for 
we  were  already  on  the  move. 


210  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

As  we  crossed  the  glen  at  a  mad,  headlong  pace,  the  guns  of 
the  battery  ojDened  on  us  with  a  murderous  discharge  of  grape 
and  canister,  at  close  range.  But  we  were  now  going  down  hill, 
so  escaped  the  greater  part  of  the  shower  of  iron  pellets,  which 
went  whistling  over  our  heads;  though  a  good  many  men 
dropped.  Before  the  gunners  could  reload  we  were  upon  them, 
and  a  desperate  hand-to-hand  fight  ensued.  The  dash  of  our 
brigade  was  so  sudden,  and  our  progress  across  the  glen  so 
rapid,  the  movement  was  a  surprise  for  the  Confederates ;  con- 
sequently the  battery  fell  into  our  hands  before  their  infantry 
supports  could  come  up.  On  reaching  the  muzzle  of  one  of  the 
guns  I  found  myself  confronted  by  a  tall  gunner,  who  having 
seized  a  musket  made  a  lunge  at  me  with  the  bayonet.  In- 
stinctively warding  off  the  thrust  with  my  sword,  the  point  of 
the  fellow's  bayonet  became  entangled  in  the  guard,  and  I  felt 
it  pierce  my  fingers.  Before  I  could  recover  myself.  Corporal 
Malone  sprang  to  my  side,  and  drove  his  own  bayonet  through 
the  throat  of  my  brave  antagonist,  who,  with  a  groan,  fell  to 
the  ground  as  the  piece  became  our  prize. 

The  other  regiments  had  meanwhile  pushed  on  to  either  side 
of  the  battery,  and  engaged  the  attention  of  the  enemy's  sup- 
ports :  so  we  enjoyed  a  brief  breathing-spell.  Looking  about 
me,  I  saw  that  the  battle  was  now  raging  furiously  on  our 
right,  the  headquarter  fiag  of  General  Sykes  being  in  the  very 
midst  of  the  fierce  melee.  The  bright  flashes  of  the  muskets 
illumined  the  clouds  of  powder-smoke,  and  revealed  the  ranks 
of  the  combatants  as  they  struggled,  foot  to  foot,  for  the  mas- 
tery. It  seemed  strange  that  we  should  so  suddenly  have  noth- 
ing to  do  in  the  center  of  so  hot  and  deadly  a  combat,  but  our 
respite  was  only  a  temporary  one. 

While  Griffin's  division  was  uttering  a  wild,  triumphant 
cheer,  on  seeing  the  Confederate  line  stagger  and  begin  to  give 
way,  the  left  of  our  brigade  fell  off  in  the  direction  of  the 
Round  Top ;  and  in  a  minute  after  our  regiment  followed  in  its 
turn.     I  then  saw  that  the  face  of  the  hill  was  in  the  hands  of 


CHARGE  AND   COUNTER-CHARGE.  211 

a  considerable  force  of  Confederate  troops.  Nothing  daunted, 
the  head  of  the  column  gave  a  rousing  cheer ;  and  up  we  went 
over  the  loose,  slippery  rubble.  The  Confederates  made  a 
gallant  eifort  to  hold  their  vantage-ground,  but  we  outnum- 
bered them .;  and  though  it  was  a  terrible  task  to  clamber  up 
the  rocks  in  the  face  of  a  galling  fire,  we  accomplished  it, 
and  were  in  a  few  minutes  at  the  very  top,  with  the  enemy  in 
full  retreat. 

It  was  with  a  frightful  loss,  however,  that  we  had  won  the 
position  ;  for  the  rocky  hill  was  thickly  strewn  with  our  dead 
and  wounded.  As  I  looked  about  me,  trying  to  discover  who 
were  missing,  my  first  thought  was  of  Dennis ;  for  the  timely 
aid  he  had  rendered  me  over  the  brass  gun  in  the  glen  was  not 
to  be  readily  forgotten.  I  remembered,  that,  just  after  we  had 
begun  our  awful  climb  through  that  storm  of  bullets,  I  had  lost 
sight  of  him :  so  I  glanced  anxiously  along  the  line  of  my  com- 
pany, hoping  to  see  his  face.  As  I  did  so  the  brave  fellow 
appeared  by  my  side. 

"  The  saints  be  praised,  an'  I  foind  ye  all  roight  and  safe  !  " 
was  his  joyful  salutation.  "  But  what's  that  ?  Yer  face  is  all 
bleeding.     Are  ye  much  hurt  ?  " 

Putting  my  hand  to  my  cheek,  I  was  surprised  to  find  it 
covered  with  blood,  for  I  had  felt  no  wound.  Then  I  remem- 
bered that  a  shell  had  burst  over  our  heads  when  half-way  up 
the  hill.  A  chip  of  it  must  have  grazed  my  cheek.  The  wound 
was,  however,  very  slight. 

"  Oh !  it's  nothing,  Dennis,"  said  I,  "  only  a  scratch.  Are 
you  all  right?" 

"  Iviry  bit  of  me  is  here,"  responded  the  corporal  quaintly ; 
"  though  at  one  toime  I  thought  I  was  a  goner.  Down  by  that 
big  stone  below,  which  we  had  to  go  round,  I  fell  behind,  for 
me  fut  shlipped ;  and  I  found  mesilf  all  alone,  forniust  a  big  fel- 
ler who  had  hid  behind  the  rock.  Begorra !  before  I  could 
say  '  How  are  ye  ?  '  he  sthruck  his  murdherin'  gun  into  me  face. 
I  belaved  mesilf  a  dead  man ;  but  just  then  a  bullit  kem  along, 


212  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

and  tuk  him  by  the  side  of  the  head.  He  forgot  to  pull  his 
trigger,  so  I  come  up  and  left  him." 

As  Dennis  finished  his  speech,  Colonel  Lloyd  appeared. 

"Wilmot,  have  you  seen  any  thing  of  Adjutant  Fitzgerald?" 
he  asked. 

"No,  colonel,  not  since  we  left  the  glen,"  I  replied. 

"  I  hope  he's  not  hit,"  said  the  colonel. 

"  Well,  I  think  he  is,"  remarked  Captain  Burch  :  "  I  saw  him 
stumble  and  fall  just  as  we  passed  through  that  line  of  alder- 
bushes  below." 

"  Some  of  you  run  down  and  find  him,"  said  the  colonel. 

Half  a  dozen  men  darted  over  the  crest  of  the  hill  towards 
the  alders;  soon  returning  with  the  adjutant,  who  was  evidently 
badly  wounded. 

"  Well,  Fitz,"  said  I,  leaning  over  the  poor  fellow,  as  they 
laid  him  down,  "  what  is  it  ?     Where  are  you  hit  ?  " 

"  Somewhere  in  the  chest,"  he  responded  faintly :  "  I  don't 
exactly  know  where.     But  I'm  afraid  it's  all  up  with  me." 

"  Don't  say  that,  Fitzgerald,"  exclaimed  the  colonel.  "  Ah  ! 
here's  the  doctor.     He  will  soon  put  you  to  rights." 

Surgeon  Humphrey's  face  wore  a  grave  look  as  he  gazed  at 
the  wounded  officer.  Kneeling  down,  he  opened  the  adjutant's 
coat  and  shirt,  then  silently  rose  to  his  feet. 

"  It's  mortal,"  he  whispered  to  me,  with  a  mournful  shake  of 
his  head.     "  Who  is  to  tell  him  ?  " 

The  dying  man  had,  however,  narrowly  watched  the  surgeon, 
reading  his  own  fate  in  the  averted  face  and  whisper. 

"Well,  doctor?  If  I'm  going  to  die,  why  don't  you  say  so, 
and  be  done  with  it  ?  "  he  exclaimed  petulantly. 

"  I'm  afraid  you  are  badl}^  wounded,  Fitzgerald,"  replied  Sur- 
geon Humphrey ;  "  but  I'll  have  you  carried  to  the  rear,  Avliere 
you  will  rest  easier." 

"  No !  no !  Let  me  stay  here  with  the  boys.  Let  me  die 
with  them  around  me.  Ah  !  I  shall  never  form  the  parade  for 
them  again.     Good-by,  colonel.     Good-by,   Frank :  you'll  find 


CHARGE  AND   COUNTEE-CUARGE. 


213 


my  mother's  address  in  my  note-book  here.  When  I  am  dead, 
Frank,  write  her  how  I  died,  and  tell  her  my  last  thoughts 
were  of  her.  Dear  old  mother !  This  will  be  sad  news  for 
her.     You  will  write,  Frank,  won't  you?" 

"  Yes,  Fitz,  if  T  live,"  I  replied. 

"  Ah !  yes,  I  forgot.  This  fight  isn't  ended  yet.  If  not  you, 
Frank,  some  one  else  must  do  it." 

As  the  adjutant  uttered  the  words  in  a  faint,  weary  manner, 
a  loud  cheer  rose  from  the  glen. 

"What's  that?"  he  exclaimed  in  a  stronger  voice,  trying  to 
rise.    "•  What's 
that     cheer 
for?" 

"  The  ene- 
my has  fallen 
back.  We  have 
regained  the 
lost  ground," 
replied  the  sur- 
geon as  he 
wiped  the  dy- 
1  n  g     man    s  the  dying  adjutant. 

damp  brow. 

"  That's  good.  Lift  me  up,  Frank.  Let  me  see  them  once 
more." 

We  lifted  him  tenderly,  and  he  took  a  long  and  wistful  look 
into  the  glen.  Griffin  had  taken  up  a  strong  position,  and  was 
now  holding  his  line  intact.  Though  full  of  smoke  the  scene 
was  readily  understood  by  Fitzgerald. 

"  Thank  God !  we  have  driven  them  back,"  said  he.  "  I'm 
glad  to  know  that.  Good-by,  boys !  Good-by,  Zou-zous ! 
Don't  forget  Tom  Fitzgerald  when  he  is  gone.  Good-by, 
Frank  !  Remember  —  my  —  mother.  —  Re  —  mem  —  ber  — 
mo  —  ther." 

And  as  the  brave  spirit  fled,  we  laid  the  dead  body  on  one 


214  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

side  to  prepare  for  continuing  the  battle.  Orders  had  been 
passed  down  the  line  for  the  men  to  imitate  their  fellows  on 
the  lower  ground,  and  build  breastworks  out  of  the  loose 
stones  so  abundant  on  the  hill-top.  In  a  few  minutes  a  low, 
irregular  wall  rose  in  serried  outline  along  the  crest  of  the 
hill ;  while  the  j)ickets,  half  way  down,  dug  little  pits  with  their 
hands  in  the  rubble  to  protect  them  from  the  bullets  that  were 
still  whizzing  about  their  ears. 

As  I  was  watching  the  men  build  their  rude  stone  breast- 
work, Dennis  touched  my  elbow,  whispering,  — 

"I  say,  leftinant,  there's  Gineral  Warren.  Maybe  ould 
Meade  ain't  fur  off." 

"  Where  ?  " 

"  Right  over  there.  Don't  ye  see  him  sitting  on  that  stone 
beyant  ?  " 

"  Yes  :  now  I  do.     I  wonder  what  he  is  doing  here." 

"  He's  looking  to  see  if  there  isn't  a  chance  for  another 
scrimmage,"  muttered  Malone.  "  Shure,  he's  niver  so  happy  as 
when  there's  a  rigilar  row." 

While  he  was  speaking,  the  general  rose  from  his  seat,  and 
approached  me. 

"  Lieutenant,  do  you  know  General  Crawford  when  you  see 
him  ?  "  he  asked. 

"Yes,  general,  quite  well,"  I  replied. 

"  Well,  he"s  waiting  with  his  division  down  there,"  pointing 
towards  the  road  over  which  we  had  advanced  an  hour  or  two 
before.  "  I  want  to  give  him  an  order,  and  have  no  aide  with 
me." 

"  I'll  go  with  pleasure,"  said  I,  thrusting  my  sword  into  its 
scabbard.     "  What  is  your  message,  general  ?  " 

"  I  want  him  to  charge  over  that  glen  again.  ■  Don't  you  see 
they  are  forming  to  storm  this  hill  ?  We  must  anticipate  their 
charge  by  one  of  our  own." 

"Would't  it  be  better  for  me  to  bring  General  Crawford 
here  ?     You  can  explain  the  situation  to  him." 


CHARGE  AND   COUNTER-CHARGE.  215 

"  Yes,"  replied  General  Warren.  "•  If  you  can  do  so  quickly. 
Otherwise  tell  him  to  move  forward  at  once,  and  charge  on 
that  line  to  the  right  of  those  rocks ; "  and  he  pointed  to  the 
spot  where  we  had  advanced  on  the  battery. 

"All  right,  sir,"  said  I,  running  along  the  ridge. 

I  had  gone  some  fifty  paces  towards  the  rear  when  I  met  a 
mounted  officer,  his  horse  carefully  picking  his  way  over  the 
loose  stones.     It  was  General  Crawford. 

"I  was  sent  to  look  for  you,  sir,"  said  I  to  him.  "General 
Warren  wishes  to  see  you." 

"  Where  is  the  general?  " 

"Just  above,  sir.  I'll  show  3'ou  the  way,"  I  replied,  retra- 
cing my  steps. 

"  What !  haven't  you  gone  yet  ?  "  angrily  exclaimed  General 
Warren  as  I  re-appeared.     "  Didn't  I  tell  you  "  — 

"  Here  is  General  Crawford,  sir.  I  met  him  coming  to  meet 
you,"  I  interrupted ;  for  I  well  knew  how  quick-tempered  the 
general  could  be. 

"  Oh,  all  right !  I  beg  your  pardon,  lieutenant.  —  Why, 
Crawford,  where  in  the  devil's  name  have  you  been  ?  " 

"Where  you  left  me,"  replied  General  Crawford  quietly. 
"  Having  received  no  orders,  I  came  to  see  if  we  were  needed." 

"  I  want  you  to  take  four  or  five  regiments  into  this  Devil's 
Glen,  as  these  men  have  aptly  named  it,"  said  General  Warren. 
" It's  a  hot  place,  though.     Are  your  men  in  good  spirits? " 

"  Never  better.  They  are  really  impatient  at  being  kept 
standing  idle  under  fire."  • 

"  Well,  lose  no  time  in  taking  them  in.  Send  out  a  heavy 
skirmish-line,  and  charge  with  your  main  force.  Break  up  that 
movement  of  the  enemy  before  they  get  too  strong.  Do  you 
think  you  can  do  it  ?  " 

"  If  it's  possible  for  any  troops,  general,  the  Pennsylvania 
Reserves  can  do  it,"  said  General  Crawford  somewhat  haughtily, 
as  he  stroked  his  luxuriant  side-whiskers. 

"  They  ought  to  fight  well  on  the   soil  of  their  own  State," 


216 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


muttered  General  Warren  grimly,  as  he  returned  the  salute  of 
our  third-division  commander,  who  immediately  disaj^peared. 

A  few  minutes  after,  the  Bucktails  Regiment  came  forward 
in  close  skirmish-line ;  and  on  looking  towards  the  road  I  saw 
several  regiments  moving  to  the  front.  Rapidly  forming  in 
line  of  battle,  the  Pennsylvanians  dashed  forward  with  a  loud 
cheer,  their  general  at  their  head  with  one  of  the  colors  in  his 
hand.     Battery   after  battery  opened  fire  on  the  heroic  bat- 


BUCKTAII-S  GOING   INTO  THE   HEVIL'S   GLEN. 


talions,  wrapping  them  in  flame  and  smoke,  until  a  loud  cheer 
announced  the  success  of  the  hazardous  movement. 

It  was  now  getting  dark,  and  we  fancied  the  day's  work  to 
be  over.  But  in  this  we  were  mistaken  ;  for,  as  Crawford's  men 
fell  back,  the  Confederates  gathered  fresh  strength,  and  made 
another  bold  and  desperate  move. 

Above  the  dip  in  the  ground  wliere  the  road  ran,  one  of  our 
field-batteries  had  been  placed,  though  it  was  not  visible  to  the 
enemy.     Our  line  seeming  to  be  weak  just  there,  they  made  a 


CHARGE  AND    COUNTEli-CUAllGE.  217 

dash  upon  it  in  the  gathering  twiliglit ;  evidently  expecthig  to 
pierce  our  line,  and  so  cut  off  the  Round  Top. 

The  rapid  fire  of  our  skirmishers,  as  they  lay  in  the  glen,  was 
the  first  intimation  we  had  of  an  attack ;  but  orders  came  run- 
ning down  the  line  at  the  same  moment  for  our  men  to  reserve 
tlieir  fire  until  they  saw  something  to  aim  at. 

"That  comes  from  Warren,"  remarked  Captain  Burch.  "I 
remember  how  he  swore  at  Big  Bethel  because  our  green 
troops  banged  away  before  they  were  within  range." 

On  came  the  Confederate  column  in  the  uncertain  light,  and 
we  were  begiiniing  to  see  a  dark  mass  moving  silently,  swiftly, 
towards  the  narrow  road ;  when  suddenly  our  battery  on  the 
knoll  opened  a  tearing  broadside  of  grape  and  canister.  As  the 
flashes  of  the  guns  lightened  up  the  scene,  I  saw  that  the  entire 
glen  was  swarming  with  men.  Now  was  our  opportunity  ;  and 
as  the  battery  sent  another  shower  hurtling  through  the  air, 
our  infantry  fired  a  deafening,  blinding  volley  into  the  surging 
columns.  Exposed  to  so  heavy  and  unexjsected  a  fire,  the  Con- 
federates wavered  a  moment,  and  began  falling  back.  Then 
the  two  brigades  of  regulars  rushed  out  on  the  charge.  We 
again  held  possession  of  the  glen. 

This  ended  the  fighting  on  the  left  of  Meade's  line  for  that 
day ;  and  the  darkness  soon  put  a  stop  to  the  incessant  fusillade 
all  along  our  front,  from  the  Round  Top  to  Culp's  Hill.  But 
we  knew  the  battle  had  come  to  no  definite  result :  we  should 
have  it  fiercely  renewed  the  next  day. 


218 


BULLET  AND  SHELL. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 


A  MIDNIGHT   ADVENTURE. 


And  thousands  had  sunk  on  the  ground  overpowered, 
The  weary  to  sleep,  and  the  wounded  to  die." 


IGHTFALL  found  me  asleeiD  under  the  lee  of 
a  bowlder,  when  I  was  awakened  near  mid- 
night  by    Colonel   Lloyd.     He   informed   me 
that   a   reconnoissance   by  a  small  party  had 
^  been  ordered  to  be  made  along  a  sunken  road 
,  by  the  side  of  a  creek  considerably  to  the  left 
of   our   position.     Signs    of  some    mysterious 
movement  had  been  reported  by  the  pickets : 
so  I  had  been  selected  to  command  the  little 
expedition,  consisting  of  twenty  or  thirty  vol- 
unteers, for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the 
scope  of  the  enemy's  maneuvers. 
"Pick  out  your  men  carefully,  Wilmot,"  said   the   colonel, 
"  and  run  as  little  risk  as  possible.'' 

"  Rather  a  good  joke,  colonel.  Order  a  fellow  off  on  a  bit 
of  dangerous  duty,  and  tell  him  to  run  no  risks ! "  I  replied 
with  a  laugh. 

"  I  promised  General  Fletcher  I  would  caution  you,  Wilmot, 
when  he  mentioned  your  name  in  connection  with  this  move- 
ment. You  are  to  find  out  all  you  can,  but  the  general  wishes 
no  foolhardiness.  He  is  sending  a  small  party,  because  you  can 
all  the  more  easily  escape  attention.'" 

"  All  right,  sir,"  I  replied :  "  I'll  do  my  best  to  come  back 
safely,  and  report.     May  I  tell  Major  Harding  I  am  going?  " 


A   MIDNIGHT  ADVENTURE.  219 

"  No,  I  will  do  that.  You  must  get  off  quietly.  If  that  old 
bear,  your  captain,  hears  you  are  chosen  instead  of  him,  he  will 
rouse  the  whole  regiment  with  his  grumbling." 

"  Captain  Burch's  grumbling  means  nothing,"  said  I.  "  He's 
as  brave  as  a  lion." 

"  Of  course  he's  brave,"  replied  the  colonel.  "  If  he  wasn't 
he  wouldn't  be  an  officer  in  my  regiment  very  long.  But  come, 
Wilmot,  go  pick  out  your  men,  and  be  off  with  you." 

I  had  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  the  necessary  number  of 
volunteers.  After  getting  my  men  together,  and  receiving 
such  brief  directions  as  our  colonel  deemed  necessary,  I  gave 
the  word,  and  started  down  the  hillside,  succeeding,  after  sev- 
eral tumbles  over  loosened  rocks,  in  passing  quietly  through  the 
picket-line,  and  mustered  my  little  command  in  the  glen. 

Moving  round  the  base  of  the  hill,  now  thickly  covered  with 
troops,  we  entered  a  road  which  ran  along  the  bank  of  a  creek. 
Going  on  towards  the  Confederate  lines  until  we  could  hear 
voices,  I  called  a  halt.  Every  thing  seeming  exceedingly  quiet, 
I  established  a  few  sentries,  and  made  up  my  mind  for  a  com- 
fortless bivouac  while  awaiting  developments. 

My  men,  having  volunteered  for  what  they  expected  would 
be  exciting  duty,  were  naturally  restless  over  the  apparently 
barren  result  of  our  midnight  expedition.  In  this  mood  they 
began  poking  about  the  bank  of  the  creek  like  so  many  deer- 
hounds  who  had  lost  their  scent.  Cautioning  them  not  to 
stray  away  too  far,  I  wrapped  myself  in  my  cape,  and,  leaning 
against  a  massive  rock,  speculated  on  the  events  the  coming 
day  would  bring  with  it.  Despite  these  thoughts  I  had  almost 
fallen  asleep,  through  sheer  weariness,  when  Dennis  roused  me 
with  an  excited  whisper. 

"■  Leftinant  darlint,  thim  divils,  the  Ribs,  are  up  to  some 
mischief  beyant." 

"  Where  ?     What  are  they  doing  ?  " 

"  Down  the  road,  a  bit.  Shure,  Sergeant  Foster  and  mesilf 
saw  thim,  just  now." 


220  BULLET  AND    SHELL. 

"Come,  come,  Dennis,  no  nonsense  now.  What  did  you  see, 
or  did  you  only  imagine  something?  " 

"•  Now,  did  I  ever  give  ye  a  false  alarrum  ?  " 

"  Not  that  I  remember,  Malone.  But  why  don't  you  speak 
to  the  point  ?  " 

"  Oh,  av  coorse  !  That's  the  way  wid  yez  all.  An  Irishman's 
a  fool  always." 

Finding  that  Dennis  woiild  take  liis  own  time  in  imparting 
his  information,  I  walked  rapidly  down  the  road ;  at  the  same 
time  ordering  him  to  get  the  men  together  and  follow  me. 
Half  a  dozen  rods  below  I  found  Foster,  the  sergeant,  crouching 
at  the  edge  of  the  creek,  intently  peering  across.  Slipping 
down  by  his  side,  I  asked  Foster  what  had  happened  to  alarm  liim. 

"I  scarcely  know,  myself,"  he  replied;  "though  I'm  sure 
something  queer  is  up  on  the  other  side  there." 

I  followed  his  eyes  to  the  opposite  bank  as  he  spoke,  but 
could  discern  nothing.  At  the  same  time  Dennis  came  up  with 
the  men,  who,  taking  their  cue  from  me,  crouched  on  the  grass 
in  silence. 

"But  you  must  have  seen  something,  Sam:  else  why  send 
Dennis  to  me  ?  "  I  remarked  in  a  low  tone. 

"Well,  you  see,  sir,  Dennis  and  I  found  a  cherry-tree 
just  above ;  and  we  climbed  into  it  to  get  some.  While  we 
were  feeling  our  way  among  the  limbs,  I  distinctly  heard  a 
voice  give  the  command  to  halt,  and  with  it  the  sound  of  sev- 
eral men  dropping  the  butts  of  their  muskets  on  the  grass.  A 
few  minutes  after,  some  order  was  given,  which  I  did  not 
understand ;  when  something  heavy  was  thrown  on  the  ground. 
Dennis  and  I  then  slipped  out  of  the  tree,  and  I  sent  him  to 
tell  you." 

I  made  no  reply  to  this  whispered  explanation,  contenting 
myself  with  listening.  A  few  seconds  after,  we  all  heard  some- 
thing fall  into  the  water  with  a  sudden  splash.  Bidding  my 
men  keep  quiet,  I  took  Foster  with  me,  and  crept  cautiously 
down  the  creek  a  few  paces. 


A   MIDNIGHT  ADVENTURE.  221 

"  See  there  !  "  whispered  the  sergeant,  as  he  excitedly  seized 
my  arm. 

"  Where  ?  " 

"  Why,  there  !  "  he  replied,  pointing  eagerly  to  the  figure  of 
a  man  dimly  seen  struggling  through  the  deep  water  of  the 
narrow  creek. 

"  Hush !  Pass  the  word  for  our  men,  and  make  no  noise,'' 
said  I,  watching  the  fellow  in  the  water. 

As  my  men  joined  me,  we  crawled  noiselessly  towards  the 
spot  where  the  intruder  evidently  intended  landing.  When  he 
clambered  up  the  bank,  Foster  and  I  caught  him  by  the  throat, 
thus  preventing  his  giving  an  alarm.  The  Confederate,  com- 
pletely surprised  by  our  assault,  surrendered  almost  without  a 
struggle ;  the  touch  of  my  revolver  to  his  forehead  showing  him 
the  folly  of  such  an  effort.  Tied  to  his  waist  was  a  strong  cord, 
which  I  divined  to  be  for  the  purpose  of  hauling  some  object 
across.  The  men  gave  it  a  steady  pull,  soon  having  in  their 
possession  a  stout  pole. 

I  was  now  satisfied  that  a  reconnoitering  party  was  endeav- 
oring to  cross  the  creek ;  and,  as  the  end  of  our  bit  of  timber 
had  another  cord  fastened  to  it,  I  told  my  men  to  pull  it  also, 
and  so  landed  a  second  pole. 

In  the  mean  time  I  had  mustered  the  whole  of  my  party, 
preparatory  to  receiving  whoever  might  venture  across  the 
rude  bridge.  Scarcely  were  these  arrangements  perfected, 
when  a  Confederate  officer  crawled  slowly  over.  He  was 
immediately  seized,  but  made  so  desperate  a  resistance  I  was 
afraid  our  presence  would  be  discovered  by  those  left  be- 
hind. 

The  affair  had  now  become  really  exciting,  my  men  being 
crazy  with  delight  at  the  fun  in  prospect.  We  had  not  long 
to  wait ;  for,  soon  after  the  officer  had  been  disposed  of,  they 
began  creeping,  one  after  the  other,  over  their  narrow  bridge. 
As  each  new-comer  appeared,  he  was  seized  in  silence,  and  hur- 
ried to  the  rear,  until  Ave  had  bagged  nearly  thirty;   Dennis 


222  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

keeping  tally  in  excited  whispers,  as  the  captured  birds  were 
taken  from  the  trap  they  had  themselves  contrived. 

Our  visitors  were  evidently  astounded  at  the  unexpected 
turn  of  affairs ;  for,  as  each  man  came  over,  he  was  made  a 
prisoner  before  he  realized  the  fact.  Indeed,  I  began  laughing 
quietly  as  the  number  of  our  prisoners  increased,  wondering 
how  long  it  would  last.  As  Dennis  tallied  twenty-eight,  a 
second  officer  was  captured.  After  him  no  more  came,  so  I 
concluded  that  the  entire  party  must  have  crossed.  Sending 
our  prisoners  to  the  pickets  for  safe  keeping,  I  ordered  Dennis 
and  a  couple  of  the  men  to  go  over  on  the  logs  ;  a  low  whistle 
from  the  corporal  speedily  announcing  that  all  was  clear.  As 
soon  as  nearly  all  my  men  had  followed  me  across  the  creek,  I 
left  Foster  and  a  squad  of  four  or  five  men  in  charge  of  the 
bridge  ;  while  I  started  to  explore  the  fields  with  the  remainder, 
taking  the  precaution  to  droj)  a  few  men  at  intervals  to  keep 
our  trail  should  a  hurried  retreat  be  necessary. 

Cautiously  leading  the  detachment  over  the  soft  turf,  I  made 
my  way  towards  a  solitaiy  tree,  dimly  discernible  in  the  faint 
starlight.  Every  sound  seemed  hushed,  yet  I  felt  that  our 
adventure  was  nearing  a  crisis. 

Leaving  my  party  in  a  hollow,  Dennis  and  I  crawled  along 
on  our  hands  and  knees,  with  a  couple  of  men,  until  we  stum- 
bled on  a  sentinel,  whom  we  quickly  overpowered,  and  sent  to 
the  rear.  On  reaching  the  tree,  I  saw  that  we  were  on  a  picket- 
line  of  the  enemy,  though  why  it  extended  in  that  direction  I 
could  not  for  the  moment  imagine.  The  mystery  was  speedily 
solved,  however ,  for  we  soon  heard  the  monotonous  rumble  of 
artillery,  accompanied  by  the  shuffling  tramp  of  infantry,  — 
sounds  which  told  us  that  a  large  force  was  in  active  movement 
on  the  interior  line. 

For  several  minutes  the  corporal  and  I  lay  prostrate  under 
the  tree,  listening  to  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  As  the 
different  orders  were  hoarsely  repeated,  I  was  convinced  that 
at  least  a  division  was  being  massed  on  the  plain  before  me ; 


A   MIDNIGHT  ADVENTURE.  223 

the  natural  inference  being  that  some  important  demonstration 
on  our  flank  was  contemplated.  Surmising  that  the  Confed- 
erates were  preparing  for  an  assault  upon  the  Round  To^j  at 
daylight,  I  decided  to  return  to  our  lines,  and  report  the  facts. 

Directing  Dennis  to  take  our  men  quietly  back  to  the  creek, 
I  remained  for  a  few  seconds  to  take  a  final  survey  of  the  situa- 
tion. 

A  hasty  glance  towards  the  columns  of  troops  I  fancied  I 
could  see  moving  in  the  darkness  was  all  I  dared  venture  on : 
so  I  reluctantly  turned  to  follow  my  men.  As  I  did  so,  one  of 
the  neighboring  sentries  approached  the  tree  in  the  belief  that 
I  was  his  comrade.  Seeing  it  was  too  late  for  a  quiet  retreat, 
I  hastily  picked  up  the  captured  man's  musket,  and  assumed 
his  vacant  place,  determined  to  risk  being  taken  prisoner  in 
order  that  my  brave  little  squad  might  get  away  in  safety. 

"How  still  they  'uns  are  over  thar ! "  said  my  unwelcome 
friend,  as  he  came  up,  and  pointed  with  his  musket  towards 
the  creek. 

"  Yes,  they  are  quiet,"  I  replied  in  a  guarded  tone,  at  the 
same  time  keeping  a  close  watch  on  the  man  I  felt  would  soon 
prove  a  deadly  antagonist. 

"What  mought  they  be  a-doing?" 

"  I  don't  know,"  I  replied. 

Scarcely  had  the  words  been  uttered,  when  the  sentinel,  who 
had  now  come  up  quite  close,  suddenly  dropped  his  head  as  he 
caught  sight  of  my  gold  shoulder-strap. 

"  Why,  who  be  yeou?  "  he  cried,  making  at  the  same  moment 
a  sudden,  instinctive  rush  upon  me. 

I  was  ready  for  him,  however  ;  and,  with  a  desperate  sweep  of 
the  musket  I  had  clubbed  in  my  hands,  dealt  the  unfortunate 
sentry  a  terrific  blow  on  tlie  side  of  the  head,  which  felled  him 
to  the  earth  like  a  log.  On  seeing  the  man  fall,  I  dropped  the 
musket,  and,  drawing  my  revolver  from  my  sword-belt,  started 
on  a  run  towards  the  rendezvous  of  my  command.  The  strug- 
gle on  the  picket-line  had,  however,  attracted  the  attention  of 


224  BULLET  AND   SUELL. 

the  sentinel  on  the  right,  who  sent  a  bullet  after  me  as  I  dis- 
appeared in  the  gloom.  The  report  of  his  piece  at  once  alarmed 
the  entire  line,  for  they  immediately  opened  a  spattering  but 
harmless  fire. 

When  I  reached  the  bridge  of  poles,  I  found  my  men  form- 
ing to  resist  the  attack  they  expected,  my  appearance  among 
them  being  hailed  with  evident  satisfaction.  Hastily  re-assur- 
ing them,  I  lost  no  time  in  sending  the  command  scrambling 
over  the  logs,  one  or  two  of  the  men  tumbling  into  the  creek 
in  their  eager  haste.  Once  over,  we  destroyed  the  bridge  by 
throwing  it  into  the  water ;  and  I  was  glad  to  find  that  I  had 
not  lost  a  man,  only  one  of  the  party  being  slightly  wounded 
by  a  random  bullet. 

We  had  no  time  for  congratulations,  however ;  for  the  Con- 
federates were  now  swarming  along  tlie  creek.  The  rapid 
exchange  of  musketry  brought  us  reiiiforcements,  and  I  pro- 
ceeded to  report  my  discovery  at  brigade  headquarters.  The 
information  was  deemed  of  such  importance,  that  the  fusillade 
of  the  pickets  was  soon  drowned  by  the  roar  of  our  battery 
on  the  hill,  as  a  score  of  shells  were  hurled  in  the  direction  of 
the  massed  force  of  the  enemy. 

Dennis  was  in  ecstasies  over  the  novelty  of  our  adventure, 
and  always  insisted  afterwards  that  it  had  a  decisive  influence 
on  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 


A    WONDERFUL   CHARGE.  225 


CHAPTER   XX. 

A   WONDERFUL   CHARGE. 

'  One  effort  —  one  —  to  break  the  circling  host! 
Tliey  form  —  unite  —  charge  —  waver  —  all  is  lost ! ' ' 

EVERE  as  had  been  the  fighting  on  the  first 
and  second  days  at  Gettysburg,  it  was  des- 
tined to  be  surpassed  in  heroic  daring  and 
savage  courage  on  the  third  day.  The  two 
armies  had  so  often  tried  each  other's  mettle, 
they  knew  that  this  day  would  bring  the  cru- 
cial test  of  strength  and  valor ;  that  it  would 
not  only  decide  the  campaign,  but  also  the 
duration  of  the  war.  Therefore  no  bugle 
was  needed  to  wake  our  men  at  sunrise,  for 
all  anticipated  a  day  of  desperate  struo-gle 
and  awful  carnage. 

It  was  almost  daybreak  when  I  and  my  reconnoitering  party 
rejoined  the  regiment.  As  we  climbed  up  the  hill,  which  was 
still  encumbered  by  the  unburied  dead  who  had  fallen  the 
previous  day,  we  found  the  entire  army  on  the  alert.  Already 
the  breakfast-fires  were  shedding  a  fitful  glow  over  the  wide 
field.  Standing,  as  I  was,  on  the  highest  ledge  of  the  Round 
Top,  I  could  distinguish  the  outlines  of  our  entire  position, 
even  at  that  early  hour,  as  they  were  betrayed  by  the  bivouac 
fires  of  the  army.  As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  a  belt  of  flame 
lay  upon  the  fields.  Extending  along  the  ground,  in  a  slightly 
curved  line,  for  over  three  miles,  it  then  turned  to  the  left,  dou- 
bling round  like  a  fish-hook :  the  shank  rested  on  the  Round 


226  BULLET  AND   SUELL. 

Top,  the  stem  lay  along  Cemetery  Ridge,  the  elbow  near  the 
village  of  Gettysburg,  while  the  barb  touched  Gulp's  Hill. 

Quietly  enjoying  my  breakfast  of  biscuit  and  cofi'ee,  I  sat  and 
watched  the  mists  and  shadows  disappear  as  the  hot  July  sun 
rose  over  the  South  Mountains  on  our  left.  Bit  by  bit  the  wide 
landscape  lay  revealed,  and  the  details  of  the  battle-ground 
were  distinctly  visible ;  enabling  me  to  gain  a  clear  idea  of 
the  strategic  importance  of  Meade's  line.  Along  the  base  of  the 
ridge,  and  closely  following  the  irregularities  of  its  contour,  I 
could  trace  the  low  stone  breastworks.  Behind  this  improvised 
rampart  lay  a  broad  bank  of  dark  blue :  it  was  the  infantry  in 
position.  Nearest  us,  almost  under  our  feet,  lay  Griffin's  divis- 
ion ;  and  beyond  it  I  saw  the  banners  of  the  Third  and  Second 
Corps,  with  a  part  of  the  Eleventh  and  Sixth,  Sedgwick  hav- 
ing come  up  during  the  night.  In  front  of  the  main  line  of 
battle,  I  could  pick  out  the  faint  ribbon  of  the  skirmish  or 
picket  line ;  while,  behind  the  infantry,  the  artillery  had  taken 
its  position  on  the  higher  ground  in  the  center.  It  was  a  for- 
midable array  of  guns;  for,  even  at  that  distance,  I  could  count 
over  sixty  pieces  standing  silent  and  grim  in  the  early  sun- 
light. The  army  was  indeed  stripped  and  ready  for  the  com- 
bat, the  deep  silence  which  rested  on  the  battle-field  being 
ominous  of  the  coming  strife. 

Hour  after  hour  passed,  and  the  day  rapidly  advanced  in  all 
its  brightness  and  warmth ;  yet  not  a  single  musket-shot  had 
been  heard  since  sunrise,  no  sound  occurring  to  betray  the 
presence  of  two  great  armies  in  deadly  antagonism.  But  this 
deceitful  calm  was  at  length  broken ;  for,  as  our  colonel  ordered 
his  officers  to  examine  their  men's  muskets,  a  solitary  picket- 
shot  was  fired  in  the  glen,  quickly  followed  by  others.  There 
seemed  no  occasion  for  the  firing,  it  being  probably  started  in  a 
spirit  of  mischief ;  but  once  begun,  the  rattle  of  musketry  ran 
along  the  whole  front  of  the  army,  like  the  snap  of  a  mighty 
whip-lash.  Then,  being  expended,  it  died  away,  and  silence 
again  fell  on  the  field ;  only  a  few  dropping  shots  being  heard, 


A    WONDERFUL   CHARGE.  227 

here  and  there,  among  the  trees  beyond  the  glen.  By  and  by 
the  extreme  right  woke  up,  and  I  coukl  see  that  the  skirmishers 
there  had  some  provocation  for  their  activity.  The  distance 
was  too  great  for  us  to  hear  their  fusiUade ;  a  thin  pencil  of 
white  smoke  alone  betraying  the  fact,  as  it  slowly  drifted  in 
the  morning  breeze  over  the  rocks  forming  the  ridge. 

Thus  the  two  armies  rested  in  the  hot  sunshine.  Noon  came, 
yet  there  was  no  movement  apparent  on  either  side.  Fresh 
ammunition  and  rations  had  been  served  out  to  us :  every  mus- 
ket was  ready.  It  was  a  period  of  suspense,  as  well  as  rest ;  for 
every  man  in  the  ranks  experienced  a  curious  feeling  of  expec- 
tation. In  the  midst  of  it  all  I  fell  asleej),  only  waking  when 
Dennis  announced  dinner  as  ready. 

"This  waiting  for  something  to  do  is  confoundedly  tiresome," 
said  Captain  Burch,  as  he  stretched  himself  listlessly  in  the 
shade  of  the  big  rock  we  were  sheltered  by.  "I  wish  they 
would  move  somewhere.    Any  thing  would  be  better  than  this." 

"  You  are  always  impatient,  Burch,"  replied  Major  Harding. 
"  For  my  part,  I  am  very  glad  to  have  a  rest.  I  should  think 
that  you  who  have  had  to  foot  it  from  the  Rappahannock  River 
into  Pennsylvania  would  be  quite  satisfied  to  lie  still." 

"  Oh  !  that's  all  very  well  in  one  way,"  retorted  the  captain ; 
"  but  I  wouldn't  mind  betting  that  nine  out  of  ten  of  our  men 
are  of  the  same  way  of  thinking." 

"  W-w-well,  I  s-s-sup-pose  so,"  stuttered  young  Whipple,  a 
tall,  raw-boned  lieutenant,  who  was  the  butt  of  the  regiment; 
"b-b-but  y-you  kn-know  we  had  a  d-d-dread-f-ful  h-hard  t-t-time 
of  it  y-yes-terday.  W-w-what's  the  use  of  g-getting  ang-ang- 
anx-ious  ?  " 

"  Come,  come,  Whipple,  that  will  do  :  none  of  your  long 
speeches,"  said  Captain  Burch  with  a  laugh.  "  If  we  had  to 
wait  for  you  to  give  the  orders,  we  would  n-n-never  get  them." 

"  I  don't  know  about  that,"  remarked  the  major.  "  It's  odd, 
but  did  any  one  ever  hear  Whipple  stutter  in  a  fight?  While 
we  were   clambering  up  this  queer-shaped  hill  yesterday,  he 


228  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

encouraged  his  men,  and  swore  at  the  enemy,  as  straight  as  any 
of  us." 

"  T-t-that's  b-be-because  I  g-get  too  excited,  and  for-forget  to 
st-stut-tutter,"  exclaimed  Whipple. 

"  Halloa  !  I  say  !  What's  that  they're  up  to,  over  there  ?  " 
exclaimed  Captain  Burch,  as  he  took  a  survey  of  the  field 
through  Major  Harding's  glass. 

"  Where  ?  where  ?  "  cried  two  or  three  voices. 

"•  Why,  there  !  Over  by  the  edge  of  those  woods,  on  the 
other  side  of  the  field.  Don't  you  see  they  are  putting  a  bat- 
tery in  position  ?  " 

"  So  they  are,"  said  Major  Harding,  peering  through  the  glass 
Captain  Burch  had  handed  him.  "  It's  not  one  battery,  but 
two  of  them.     I  can  see  eight  pieces  in  line  already." 

As  the  major  spoke,  I  shaded  my  eyes  with  my  hands,  and 
distinctly  saw  that  several  guns  had  been  unlimbered,  almost 
at  the  edge  of  the  woods  Ave  knew  must  be  occupied  by  the 
enemy's  center.  There  was  some  important  movement  on  foot : 
that  seemed  quite  certain.     These  batteries  meant  mischief. 

"  See  !  There's  more  of  them  !  "  cried  the  major  again.  "  A 
little  farther  on.  And  now  there's  another.  By  Jove  !  Burch, 
you  won't  have  long  to  wait  for  something  to  do." 

"  I  am  devilish  glad  of  it,"  muttered  the  captain. 

Other  eyes  besides  our  own  had  noticed  the  enemy's  move- 
ment ;  for  there  was  a  sudden  stir  among  the  rank  and  file, 
while  the  signal-men  on  the  rocks  above  our  heads  began  wav- 
ing their  flags  furiously. 

"  To  your  places,  gentlemen ! "  shouted  Colonel  Lloyd. 
"  Every  officer  to  his  post." 

Buckling  on  our  swords,  we  obeyed  the  order,  and  liurried  to 
our  places  along  the  line. 

"  They're  bringing  up  a  lot  of  artillery  over  there,  lieutenant, 
aren't  they?"  said  Sergeant  Foster  to  me,  as  I  reached  the 
company.  "  We'll  be  getting  some  of  their  shells  pretty  soon, 
I  expect." 


A    WONDEliFUL   CHARGE.  229 

"  No  doubt,"  I  replied.  "  Tell  the  men  to  your  left  to  keep 
themselves  well  covered.  You  lie  down  too,  Sam :  there's  no 
use  your  exposing  yourself." 

"  Be  jabers,  there'll  be  the  divil's  own  row  whin  thim  guns 
begin  barkin',"  exclaimed  Dennis,  gazing  at  the  long  line  of 
Confederate  guns  which  had  now  been  placed  in  position. 

"Now,  none  of  your  nonsense,  corporal.  Lie  down,  sir,  and 
keep  that  silly  head  of  yours  out  of  danger." 

"All  right,  leftinant.     But  why  don't  ye  do  the  same?  " 

"  By  and  by.  Now,  men,  keep  Avell  under  cover.  This  hill 
is  a  good  mark  for  those  fellows." 

The  men  obeyed  the  order  quietly ;  then  Captain  Burch  and 
I  crouched  behind  a  rock,  and  watched  the  assembling  batteries. 
I  could  see  that  there  were  ten  or  twelve  batteries  in  line  by 
this  time,  with  more  steadily  moving  up,  until  there  were  at 
length  fully  one  hundred  guns  in  the  formidable  array.  Half 
an  hour  passed,  yet  not  a  shot  had  been  fired :  the  batteries 
silently  waited  for  orders  to  begin  the  combat.  Looking  down 
our  own  line,  I  found  that  the  Federal  batteries  on  the  ridge 
were  on  the  qui  vive  ;  for  in  the  gaps  I  had  noticed  in  the  line 
during  the  morning  there  were  now  others  moving  in,  until 
the  ledge  of  irregular  rocks  was  one  mass  of  heavy  guns.  It 
was  now  evident  that  a  terrible  and  tremendous  artillery  duel 
would  soon  commence. 

During  the  half-hour  of  painful  suspense,  the  pickets  on  both 
sides  were  strangely  silent.  They  knew  that  their  puny  efforts 
would  be  thrown  away  in  presence  of  so  much  heavier  metal,  so 
they  waited  with  the  main  body  for  the  cannonading  soon  to 
begin. 

Suddenly  a  puff  of  smoke  appeared  on  the  extreme  left  of 
the  Confederate  line  of  guns,  and  I  heard  the  shrill  scream  of  a 
shell  as  it  flew  over  the  silent  field  toward  our  central  position. 
Then  another,  and  another  gun  was  fired ;  then  the  shells  came 
in  couples ;  next  by  the  score.  Piece  after  piece  opened  fire  in 
regular  succession,  and  battery  after  battery  went  into  action, 


230  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

until  the  whole  of  the  one  hundred  Confederate  cannon  were 
pouring  a  deadly,  dreadful  storm  of  bursting  iron  on  our  de- 
voted center  ;  while  we  men  of  the  little  Round  Top  also  found 
the  shrieking  demons  flying  over  our  heads  or  burying  them- 
selves in  the  loose  rubble  below  our  feet. 

The  bombardment  of  the  enemy  had  been  fully  and  fairly 
opened  before  our  batteries  deigned  any  reply,  but  when  their 
guns  did  get  to  work  the  pieces  were  rapidly  served.  The 
fierce  and  furious  combat  was  now  progressing  in  dead  earnest. 
Despite  the  efforts  of  the  officers,  our  men,  becoming  excited  as 
the  engagement  grew  hotter  and  hotter,  persisted  in  rising  to 
their  feet  to  watch  its  progress.  As  we  shared  their  feelings, 
we  gave  up  the  effort  to  keep  them  down. 

The  roar  of  the  cannonading  now  became  deafening  in  its 
rapidity  and  intensity.  The  enemy's  batteries  were  hidden 
from  our  view  by  a  great  bank  of  sulphurous  smoke  which 
hung  over  and  enveloped  them  ;  the  bright  flashes  of  the  guns, 
as  they  belched  forth  their  iron  hail,  alone  indicating  the  posi- 
tion of  the  pieces  engaged.  On  our  side  the  artillery  were, 
however,  clearly  visible ;  for  the  smoke  from  the  guns  lay  over 
the  lines  of  infantry,  hiding  them  entirely  as  they  crouched  be- 
hind their  breastworks.  We  had  now  fully  ninety  of  our 
heaviest  pieces  at  work,  huddled  together  on  the  ridge  held  by 
Hancock's  corps.  The  army  was  held  spell-bound  by  the  mag- 
nificent spectacle ;  for  the  opposing  batteries  made  terrible 
music,  the  hills  and  mountains  reverberating  with  the  awful 
roar  of  nearly  two  hundred  active  cannon. 

For  two  long  hours  this  terrible  double  bombardment  con- 
tinued, and  a  dense  white  cloud  \?ij  upon  the  entire  field  like  a 
hot  mist.  The  fierce,  maddening  shrieks  of  the  shells,  as  they 
flew  noisily  through  the  scorching  sunshine,  or  burst  over  our 
heads,  the  groans  of  wounded  men  lying  all  around  us,  the 
fragments  of  ragged  iron  whistling  about  our  ears,  scattering 
death  everywhere,  made  up  a  scene  never  to  be  effaced  from 
memory. 


A    WONDERFUL   CHARGE.  231 

The  smoke  prevented  my  seeing  the  effect  of  the  Federal 
fire  on  the  Confederate  line  of  guns ;  but  on  our  side  caisson 
after  caisson  exploded,  and  several  guns  were  either  dismantled 
or  drawn  off  the  field  as  they  grew  too  hot  to  handle.  But  the 
removal  of  these  did  not  lessen  the  fury  of  our  fire,  for  no 
sooner  did  a  battery  go  galloping  to  the  rear  than  its  pdace  in 
the  awful  line  was  promptly  taken  by  a  fresh  one.  As  the 
cannonading  proceeded,  the  shells  directed  at  the  Round  Top 
increased,  and  our  casualties  betrayed  the  accuracy  of  the 
practice.  Stretchers  were  constantly  passing  to  the  rear  in  the 
fields  below,  and  lines  of  dead  were  accumulating  as  the  men 
carried  the  bodies  of  their  comrades  away  from  the  breast- 
works. Our  men  now  needed  no  caution  to  shelter  themselves, 
for  the  merciless  shells  drove  them  to  their  breastworks.  Poor 
Whipple  would  never  stutter  again :  he  lay  dead  near  me, 
his  head  shattered  by  the  fragment  of  a  shell.  Every  now  and 
then  some  poor  fellow  in  the  ranks  gave  a  groan  of  pain,  and 
went  crawling  over  the  rocks  in  search  of  the  surgeon,  or  after 
a  convulsive  shudder  lay  passive  in  death. 

The  monotony  of  this  fearful  duel  between  the  Confederate 
and  Federal  batteries  became  at  length  oppressive ,  and  I 
longed  for  it  to  cease,  even  though  its  ending  brought  to  us  the 
more  deadly  storm  of  leaden  bullets.  Then  we  should  at  least 
be  active,  and  could  give  as  well  as  take :  now  we  were  power- 
less in  the  presence  of  the  cannon,  having  to  submit  to  their 
blows  in  silence. 

At  the  end  of  two  hours  the  fire  from  Lee's  guns  visibly 
slackened,  an  example  soon  followed  by  our  exhausted  artiller- 
ists. The  Confederates  had  evidently  tired  of  the  fierce  Titanic 
struggle,  and  the  cloud  of  smoke  on  their  side  of  the  field 
began  slowlj^  to  lift  as  piece  after  piece  grew  silent.  Still  the 
fusillade  of  shells  was  by  no  means  to  be  despised,  for  the  air 
continued  to  be  filled  with  deadly  fragments.  In  half  an  hour, 
however,  the  awful  music  fell  into  a  monotone,  and  then  it 
gradually  dwindled  down  to  a  few  sulky  guns  on  either  side. 


232  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

Finally  our  batteries  stopped  firing  altogether,  the  enemy  after 
a  few  spiteful  discharges  also  becoming  silent. 

The  lull  that  ensued  was  more  appalling  than  the  thunders 
that  had  preceded  it,  and  it  was  with  a  feeling  of  awe  that  we 
waited  to  see  the  next  movement  of  Lee  ;  for,  the  Confederates 
having  assumed  the  initiative,  we  knew  that  Meade  would  re- 
main on  the  defensive. 

The  sun  soon  dispelled  the  heavy  clouds  of  smoke,  and  the 
broad  expanse  of  territory  occupied  by  the  two  armies  was 
once  more  visible.  Then  I  saw  that  the  Confederate  batteries 
had  suffered  as  well  as  our  own  ;  for  several  pieces  were  lying 
on  the  ground,  helpless  and  useless.  Major  Harding,  with  his 
glass  to  his  eyes,  also  announced  that  the .  ground  occupied  by 
their  guns  was  covered  with  dead.  The  terrible  account  had 
been  duly  balanced.  Now  that  the  artillery  was  hushed,  our 
corps  pickets  began  firing  rapidly  :  so  we  looked  for  an  assault 
upon  our  elevated  position.  But  this  skirmish  musketry  came 
to  nothing,  the  enemy  having  no  doubt  made  a  feint  to  draw 
away  our  attention  from  the  real  movement  soon  to  be  disclosed. 

"  I  say,  Wilmot,"  exclaimed  Captain  Burch,  "  don't  you  see 
that  man  on  a  white  horse  ?  "  and  he  pointed  towards  the  belt 
of  woods  occupied  by  the  Confederates. 

"  Yes.  It  must  be  an  officer  giving  orders.  I  wonder  what 
is  coming  now." 

"  Probably  an  advance  by  their  whole  line,"  replied  the  cap- 
tain. "  What  a  dreadful  task  it  will  be  to  come  across  that 
big  open  field  !  " 

I  did  not  reply :  so  we  silently  watched  the  white  horse,  as 
he  carried  his  rider  swiftly  along  the  lines  which  were  evidently 
forming  under  cover  of  the  trees.  Now  the  animal  would  dis- 
appear in  a  hollow,  only  to  re-appear  and  be  lost  to  sight  again, 
as  the  ground  rose  and  fell.  On,  on,  he  galloped,  without  any 
perceptible  check  to  his  speed,  until  at  length  both  horse  and 
rider  melted  from  our  view  in  the  far  distance. 

Just  then  I  became  aware  of  a  sudden  bustle  among  the 


A    WONDERFUL    CIIABGE. 


233 


loose  pile  of  rocks  near  the  left  of  our  regimental  line.  Turn- 
ing round  to  discover  the  cause,  I  saw  that  General  Meade 
had  come  up  to  survey  the  field.  None  of  his  staff,  except 
Warren,  were  with  him.  Both  officers  gazed  intently  through 
their  glasses  along  the  enemy's  lines,  for  some  minutes,  being  at 
the  same  moment  joined  by  several  general  officers. 

"  A  council  of  war,"  whispered  Captain  Burch  in  my  ear. 


A  COUNCIL  OF   WAR  ON   LITTLE   KOUND  TOP. 


I  nodded  silently,  and  continued  to  watch  the  group.  On 
the  right  of  General  Meade  stood  Sykes,  our  corps  commander, 
and  with  him  Sedgwick  of  the  Sixth.  Behind  these  two  corps 
generals,  higher  up  among  the  rocks,  sat  Pleasonton  of  the 
cavalry,  and  near  him  Ayres  who  now  commanded  our  division. 
The  generals  couA-ersed  quietly  together,  seeming  to  be  com- 
paring notes.  Warren  was,  as  usual,  nervous  in  his  move- 
ments, and  intense  in  his  watch  upon  the  enemy.  Sedgwick 
stood  like  a  statue,  his  bearded   face   giving  no  sign  of  his 


234  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

thoughts;  while  tlie  nattily  dressed  cavalry  commander  slapped 
his  long  boot  with  a  slender  riding-whip,  apparently  as  care- 
less of  the  result  as  he  would  be  on  a  review.  Sykes,  like 
Warren,  was  busy  with  his  glass.  In  the  midst  of  the  distin 
guished  group  of  officers  sat  the  gray-haired  commander  of  the 
army,  quiet  and  steady  as  of  old.  His  soldierly  figure,  and 
impassive,  intellectual  face,  betokened  a  man  fully  prepared  to 
do  his  whole  duty,  yet  conscious  of  the  tremendous  responsi- 
bility resting  upon  his  shoulders.  Calmly  listening  to  the 
comments  and  suggestions  of  his  generals,  and  nodding  now 
and  then  in  answer  or  acquiescence,  Meade  watched  Warren's 
face,  as  his  chief  engineer  eagerly  scanned  the  woods  beyond 
for  signs  of  a  movement  in  the  enenay's  lines. 

"  Here's  that  white  horse  again !  "  exclaimed  Captain  Burch. 

Turning  my  eyes  away  from  the  little  knot  of  generals,  I  saw 
that  the  captain  was  right ;  for  the  mysterious  horseman  was 
returning  as  rapidly  over  the  ground  as  he  had  gone.  There 
was  something  new  to  see  this  time,  however ;  for  as  the  rider 
came  galloping  back,  lines  of  troops  appeared  at  the  edge  of 
the  woods  behind  him.  As  he  rode  swiftly  towards  us,  these 
lines  lengthened,  until  we  could  distinguish  whole  brigades  and 
divisions  forming  in  line  of  battle.  For  over  a  mile  the  white 
horse  passed,  and  the  Confederate  infantry  extended  in  close 
array  over  the  entire  distance.  Then  the  officer  and  his  horse 
disappeared  behind  a  clump  of  trees,  and  the  enemy's  troops 
moved  slowly  into  the  field  until  their  entire  line  became  visi- 
ble. There  it  halted,  and  seemed  to  be  aligning  itself  on  the 
center.  As  we  watched  the  progress  of  this  portentous  move- 
ment, with  quickening  pulses,  a  second  line  of  battle  appeared, 
and,  marching  out  of  the  woods,  halted  a  few  paces  behind  the 
first. 

"  They  are  going  to  charge,"  said  Major  Harding,  glass  again 
in  hand.  "  I  can  see  the  skirmishers  forming  now  in  front  of 
the  line." 

The  major  was  correct ;  for,  as  he  spoke,  we  all  saw  a  thin 


A    WONDERFUL    CHARGE.  235 

line  of  men  moving  out  from  tlie  main  body.  It  was  quite 
evident  that  a  general  advance  in  force  was  contemplated  by 
the  Confederates.  This  cool  preparation  for  a  desperate  charge 
was  indeed  a  startling  and  thrilling  spectacle.  Thousands 
upon  thousands  of  veteran  soldiers  were  quietly  getting  ready 
to  advance  over  an  open  field,  half  a  mile  wide,  for  the  purpose 
of  attacking  an  army  fully  their  equal  in  strength  and  cour- 
age. As  I  watched  those  dark-brown  lines  my  blood,  already 
hot  with  the  excitement  of  the  hour,  coursed  madly  through 
my  veins  until  I  felt  my  cheek  flush  with  suppressed  emotion. 

At  length  the  preparations  seemed  complete,  for  a  gun  was 
fired  near  the  center ;  and  as  its  solitary  shell  flew  towards  our 
line,  the  colors  in  the  Confederate  ranks  began  waving,  and 
the  two  compact  lines  of  infantry  marched  slowly,  steadily 
forward. 

"Isn't  that  magnifioent?"  cried  Captain  Burch. 

"  Positively  grand,"  replied  the  major. 

I  looked  round  for  a  moment  at  the  group  of  generals,  find- 
ing a  marked  change  in  their  attitudes  and  demeanor.  General 
Meade  stood  in  the  center ;  but  he  was  as  motionless  as  the 
stones  under  him,  his  eyes  intently  fixed  upon  the  advancing 
lines.  Not  a  muscle  of  his  face  moved ;  yet  I  saw  he  felt  the 
crisis,  for  a  look  of  stern  determination  rested  upon  his  fea- 
tures. Warren  was  leaning  forward,  the  very  picture  of  eager, 
hopeful  expectation  ;  and  there  was  a  restlessness  about  the 
man  that  accorded  well  with  his  thin,  nervous  face.  Sedgwick 
had  brought  his  steel-scabbarded  saber  round  in  front  of  his 
body  ;  and  he  stood  unconsciously  at  j^arade  rest  as  he  watched 
the  Confederate  movement,  his  heavy  jaw  and  massive  beard 
giving  his  entire  figure  that  air  of  resolute  courage  so  charac- 
teristic of  the  Sixth  Corps  leader.  Pleasonton,  though  still 
perched  up  on  his  aerial  seat,  no  longer  tapped  his  polished 
boot ;  for  he,  too,  was  watching  with  steady,  curious  eyes  the 
threatening  advance.  Ayres  had  disappeared ;  but  behind 
Pleasonton  peeped  Kilpatrick,  his  face  the  most  excited  of  all. 


236  BULLET  AND    SHELL. 

and  he  was  evidently  uttering  rapid  comments  on  the  scene  in 
progress.  Suddenly  General  Warren  stepped  a  pace  or  two 
forward,  and  gave  some  order  to  a  signal-officer,  turning  at  the 
same  time  to  his  chief,  as  if  asking  consent.  General  Meade 
nodded  affirmatively,  and  the  flags  were  soon  waving  in  cabal- 
istic fashion  to  their  fellows  on  the  right  and  center.  The  com- 
manding general  had  now  grasped  the  scope  of  the  intended 
movement,  and  was  preparing  his  army  for  the  onslaught. 

"  I  say,  leftinant,  who  the  divil  is  that  chap  ?  "  asked  Dennis, 
pointing  to  a  man  dressed  in  civilian  attire. 

I  was  as  puzzled  as  the  corporal,  for  the  sight  of  a  citizen  in 
such  a  place  was  a  novelty  to  me.  He  seemed  to  take  matters 
very  coolly ;  for  he  stood  leaning  against  a  huge  bowlder,  and 
gazed  through  a  large  field-glass  he  carried  slung  over  his 
shoulder.  Then  he  turned,  and,  walking  deliberately  towards 
the  assembled  generals,  asked  some  question.  General  Sedg- 
wick gave  the  answer,  when  the  stranger  took  a  note-book  from 
his  pocket,  and  began  writing.  I  then  knew  he  was  a  news- 
paper correspondent,  a  fact  I  explained  to  Dennis. 

"An'  do  thim  writin'  fellers  ever  get  killed?" 

"  Sometimes,"  I  replied. 

"  What  is  he  doin'  here,  anyway  ?  "  continued  the  corporal. 

"  They  always  keep  as  near  the  commanding  general  as  pos- 
sible," said  I ;  "to  get  the  news,  I  suppose." 

"  Well,  this  is  a  quare  world  anyhow  !  "  said  Dennis.  "  A 
fellow  with  a  pencil  and  a  bit  of  paper  helpin'  to  foight  a 
battle ! " 

The  correspondent  was  evidently  at  his  ease,  for  he  strolled 
about  as  nonchalantly  as  if  there  were  no  such  things  as  shells 
or  bullets.  Though  his  dress  was  not  at  all  military,  still  there 
was  something  about  the  man  that  betrayed  his  connection 
with  army  and  campaign  life.  A  suit  of  navy-blue  cloth,  the 
coat  cut  short  for  horseback-riding,  and  closely  buttoned  across 
the  chest,  revealed  a  symmetrical  figure,  while  his  feet  and  legs 
were  incased  in  a  pair  of  boots  made  of  tan  leather  and  reach- 


A    WONDERFUL   CHARGE.  237 

ing  nearly  to  the  hips.  A  dark -blue  flannel  shirt,  the  collar 
confined  by  a  black-silk  necktie  tied  in  sailor  fashion,  and  a 
wide-brimmed  felt  hat,  completed  his  costume.  As  I  stood 
watching  him,  he  put  a  hand  into  his  pantaloons-pocket;  the 
action  revealing  the  butt  of  a  revolver,  which  appeared  to 
be  fastened  round  his  waist  by  a  leather  belt.  Altogether  he 
looked  like  a  man  ready  and  perfectly  able  to  take  care  of 
himself. 

"  Why,  there's  Charle}^  Osborne,"  said  Major  Harding,  as  the 
stranger  approached  us. 

"And  who  may  Charley  Osborne  be,  major?"  said  I. 

"  He  used  to  be  an  officer ;  but  now  he  is  a  war-correspondent, 
and  a  devilish  clever  one  too,  I  believe." 

"How  are  you,  major?  "  said  the  new-comer,  as  he  stepped 
forward.  "  This  is  a  splendid  place  to  view  the  ground.  No 
wonder  Meade  came  up." 

"I  suppose  you  have  been  all  over  the  field,"  remarked 
Major  Harding. 

"Pretty  much.  I  had  to  leave  when  poor  Reynolds  was 
bowled  over,  in  order  to  send  a  dispatch.  But  I  got  back  last 
night,  and  have  been  in  the  saddle  nearly  all  day." 

"  What  are  they  doing  on  the  right,  Osborne  ? "  asked  the 
major. 

"Waiting,  just  as  you  are  doing  here.  I  tell  3^ou  what  it 
is,  major :  there's  going  to  be  an  awful  row  here  pretty  soon, 
when  tliat  line  gets  fairly  moving,"  said  Osborne  as  he  sharpened 
a  pencil. 

"Of  course:  any  one  can  see  that,"  responded  Major  Harding. 
"  But  I  think  we  can  beat  them  back." 

"I  hope  so.  But  our  line  is  fearfully  weak  in  the  center,  and 
Meade  knows  it.     He  seems  tolerably  confident,  however." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  that,"  said  I :  "  confidence  on  the  part  of 
our  general  is  half  the  battle." 

"  Quite  right.     By  the  way,  isn't  your  name  Wilmot  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 


238  BULLET  AND    SHELL. 

"  Excuse  me,"  said  Major  Harding.  "  I  ought  to  have  intro- 
duced you  to  one  another.     Please  consider  it  done." 

"  You  were  pointed  out  to  me  just  now,  Mr.  Wilmot,  as  the 
officer  who  made  that  reconnoissance  last  night :  so  I  came  to 
get  your  story.  It  will  make  a  capital  incident  in  my  descrip- 
tion of  the  battle." 

"  Oh  !  it's  not  worth  talking  about,"  said  I,  surprised  to  find 
myself  getting  famous.  "•  You  can  surely  find  something  more 
important  and  interesting  than  my  adventure  to  write  about." 

"I  don't  know  about  that,"  replied  Osborne.  "People  at 
home  want  wayside  pictures  as  well  as  big  canvases.  Come, 
lieutenant,  just  tell  me  how  it  was ;  for  we  shall  all  be  busy 
very  soon." 

At  that  moment  another  cannon-shot  was  fired  on  the  Con- 
federate side  of  the  field :  and,  as  we  all  turned  to  look,  I  saw  it 
was  a  new  signal ;  for  the  advancing  lines  of  battle  now  quick- 
ened their  motion,  and  came  forward  even  more  rapidly  than 
before.  Both  Osborne  and  myself  forgot  our  conversation  in 
watching  the  coming  charge,  for  at  the  same  instant  our  artil- 
lery opened  fire  on  the  Confederate  lines  of  infantry.  Once 
begun,  the  cannonading  soon  became  general  along  our  whole 
line,  a  deadly  storm  of  shells  being  poured  into  the  ranks 
marching  so  gallantly  across  the  open  ground.  The  Confeder- 
ate batteries  replied;  and  under  cover  of  their  stubborn  fire 
their  infantry  came  on,  and  on,  until  they  won  the  admiration 
of  their  opponents. 

As  yet  no  Federal  musketry  had  broken  out,  our  veterans 
knowing  too  well  the  value  of  every  bullet  in  a  crisis  like  this. 
Still  the  assaulting  lines  continued  to  march  on,  until  it  seemed, 
from  where  I  was  standing,  that  the  leading  one  touched  the 
breastworks  along  our  center.  Then,  and  only  then,  a  vivid 
flash  sprang  from  the  earth,  followed  by  a  sharp  rattle  as  the 
Federal  skirmish-line  opened  fire.  The  volley  had  no  appar- 
ent effect  on  the  Confederates,  who  continued  to  advance 
steadily,  sweeping  the  skirmishers  before  them  like  chaff  in  the 


A    WONDERFUL    CHARGE.  241 

wind.  A  minute  later,  a  deafening  crash  of  musketry  broke 
upon  the  ear,  and  we  knew  that  the  main  line  had  opened  fire. 
Despite  the  sunlight,  the  flame  from  our  men's  muskets  could 
be  distinguished  as  it  played  to  and  fro  along  Cemetery  Ridge. 
Then  for  the  first  time  the  Confederate  line  seemed  to  waver ; 
but  only  for  an  instant,  for  it  soon  rallied,  and,  as  if  by  one 
common  impulse,  dashed  itself  like  a  mighty  wave  against  the 
wall  of  steel  before  it.  The  Federal  artillery  on  the  higher 
ground  behind  our  infantry  now  tore  the  enemy's  ranks  with  a 
storm  of  iron  balls  until  it  seemed  that  none  could  stand  before 
them  and  live.  But  the  troops  under  Longstreet  had  gained 
an  impetus  which  carried  them  clear  up  to,  and  at  intervals  into, 
our  lines.  For  twenty  minutes  the  terrible  hand-to-hand  strug- 
gle continued ;  and  I  saw,  by  the  sudden  movements  of  Han- 
cock's corps,  that  his  line  had  been  pierced  and  broken.  It 
was,  however,  soon  reformed ;  and,  although  the  second  line  of 
the  Confederates  joined  and  strengthened  the  first,  our  defense 
was  too  fierce  and  stubborn  to  be  overcome.  Finally  the  at- 
tacking force  quivered,  and  a  moment  later  the  entire  body  was 
in  full  retreat. 

A  tremendous  thrilling  cheer  now  rose  from  the  throats  of 
our  army,  only  to  be  drowned  by  the  renewed  broadsides  of  our 
batteries  as  they  savagely  played  on  the  shattered  and  retiring 
divisions. 

"  That  scene  is  good  to  me  for  a  couple  of  columns  at  least," 
said  Osborne,  as  we  all  resumed  our  places  in  the  line  at  the 
call  of  our  colonel.  "  Halloa !  By  Jove  !  Old  Meade  is  off,  so 
I  must  go  too.  Good-day,  gentlemen  :  this  is  the  last  you  will 
see  of  me  on  this  field.  I  shall  ride  all  night  for  a  telegraph- 
wire." 

"  Do  you  consider  the  battle  over,  then  ? "  asked  Major  Hard- 
ing. 

"  Sufiiciently  so  for  my  purpose.  You  may  have  plenty  of 
fighting,  but  I  doubt  it.  Lee  can  never  get  his  army  in  shape 
after  such  a  repulse.     No :  unless  I  find  a  different  opinion 


242  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

prevailing  at  headquarters,  I  shall  gallop  off  to  announce  a 
victory." 

"Good-by,  Osborne,"  said  the  major.  "When  do  you  expect 
to  join  us  again  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  I  shall  ride  to  Frederick  City,  and  telegraph  my  story, 
and  overtake  you  on  the  other  side  of  South  Mountain  in  time 
to  see  another  brush,  should  there  be  one.  Take  good  care  of 
yourself,  old  fellow."  As  he  spoke,  Osborne  ran  down  the  hill, 
swung  himself  into  his  saddle,  and  disappeared  over  the  road 
we  had  advanced  the  previous  afternoon. 

By  this  time  the  Confederate  lines  had  reached  the  shelter 


^'~''^'--'^t*':pSwm 


'*^^-^**'"»A^«  L  *vuwito»-»*«)*fcj^j^i^«.  s^i^H^^lx^'^^^i- 


KELIEVING  THE   WOUNDED. 


of  their  own  guns,  and  soon  after  entered  the  woods  from 
whence  they  had  emerged  to  make  the  desperate  charge.  We 
never  saw  them  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg  again.  The  bloody 
plain,  over  which  Longstreet  had  led  his  men,  was  thickly  cov- 
ered with  the  dead  and  dying ;  for,  even  when  the  defeated 
troops  had  escaped  out  of  musket-range,  the  shells  from  our 
guns  mowed  them  down  by  scores  at  every  discharge. 

Once  more  comparative  silence  rested  on  the  battle-field  ;  and 
we  busied  ourselves  in  succoring  our  wounded,  or  removing  the 
dead  that  had  fallen  on  our  own  line. 


FACE   TO  FACE.  243 


i- 


CHAPTER   XXL 

FACE   TO   FACE. 

'Thou  Shalt  not  see  me  blush, 
Nor  change  my  countenance  for  this  arrest." 

HARLEY  OSBORNE  had  hardly  departed 
when  we  were  surprised  to  see  General 
Meade  and  his  staff  return  to  the  Round 
"^^.J  Top,  where  they  remained  until  sunset,  as 
|fe  our  elevated  position  afforded  a  magnificent 
view  of  the  field.  Now  that  Long-street's 
corps  had  buffeted  itself  to  pieces  by  its 
heroic  charge,  the  general  held  quite  a  levee 
of  distinguished  officers.  Generals  from  the 
right  and  center  came  up,  one  after  the  other, 
to  report  the  results  of  the  engagement,  or  re- 
ceive orders  for  their  future  movements.  Fre- 
quently these  officers  clambered  among  the  rocks  that  were 
piled  up  at  the  apex  of  the  hill.  Their  bright  shoulder-straps 
soon  attracted  the  attention  of  some  Confederate  sharpshooters 
ensconced  in  an  out-cropping  ridge  of  rocks  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  glen.  So  annoying  did  the  persistent  practice  of  these 
marksmen  become,  that  General  Fletcher  was  requested  to  send 
a  party  down  into  the  glen  for  the  purpose  of  silencing  them. 

"Lieutenant  Wilmot,  the  general  wishes  to  see  you,"  said 
the  sergeant-major  to  me  as  Captain  Burch  and  I  were  washing 
down  a  few  crackers  with  some  coffee. 

"  General  Fletcher  ?  What  can  he  want  ?  Do  you  know  ?  " 
said  I. 


244  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Not  exactly,  sir.  But  there's  some  sort  of  movement  on 
foot ;  for  I  heard  General  Warren  say  somethmg  about  the 
glen,  and  Colonel  Lloyd  mentioned  your  name." 

"  Another  reconnoissance,  Frank,  by  Jove ! "  said  Captain 
Burch.  "•  You  are  in  luck  again,  my  boy  !  Why  the  devil 
can't  they  give  a  captain  a  chance  ?  " 

"  I  wish  they  would.  I  think  I've  had  enough  of  extra  duty. 
However,  we  must  obey  orders."  And  I  at  once  proceeded  to 
report  to  the  general,  finding  him  among  the  assembled  corps 
commanders  and  their  brilliant  staffs. 

"  General,  you  sent  for  rne,  I  believe,"  said  I,  saluting. 

"  Yes,  Wilmot :  you  were  down  in  the  glen  last  night,  were 
you  not  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir :  down  in  the  sunken  road  by  the  edge  of  the 
creek." 

"  Precisely.  —  General  Meade,  this  is  the  young  officer  who 
captured  the  party  of  Confederates  so  cleverly  last  night,"  said 
the  brigadier. 

"A  very  neat  affair,"  replied  the  general,  smiling  at  me 
through  his  spectacles.     "  I  congratulate  you,  sir." 

I  bowed,  feeling  my  cheek  flush  at  the  old  general's  praise. 

"  You  see  those  sharpshooters  in  that  cluster  of  rocks  across 
the  hollow?"  said  General  Fletcher,  pointing  towards  them. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Well,  Wilmot,  I  want  you  to  volunteer  to  lead  a  party 
down  there,  and  either  drive  them  out,  or  keep  their  infernal 
rifles  quiet.     What  do  you  say  ?  " 

'■'•  You  might  as  well  order  me  down  there,  and  be  done  with 
it,"  I  replied  laughingly.  "  Of  course  I'll  go  if  you  wish  it, 
general." 

"Thank  you,  Wilmot.  I  was  sure  you  would  be  willing, 
though  it  will  be  ugly  work.  Now  go  and  pick  your  men : 
forty  will  be  enough.  When  you  get  them  together,  Colonel 
Lloyd  will  give  you  further  instructions." 

I  touched  my  cap,  and  withdrew.     Calling  Sergeant  Foster 


FACE   TO  FACE.  245 

and  Dennis,  we  soon  had  our  party  organized.  There  was  no 
delay  in  securing  sharp,  willing  fellows ;  for  our  men  had  been 
cooped  up  on  the  hill  so  long,  that  any  thing  promising  excite- 
ment was  a  decided  relief.  Among  them  was  Sergeant  Johnson 
from  another  company,  who  was  accepted  at  his  urgent  request. 

On  reporting  to  Colonel  Lloyd,  I  received  my  instructions. 
We  were  to  go  forward  in  skirmish  order,  and  once  in  the  glen 
I  was  to  act  according  to  circumstances. 

"Do  nothing  rash,  Wilmot,"  said  the  colonel.  "General 
Fletcher  expressly  said  so.  We  don't  want  to  lose  you,  now 
that  you  are  on  the  road  for  promotion.  Keep  cool,  my  boy, 
whatever  you  do." 

"  I'll  do  my  best,  colonel,"  I  replied,  touched  by  his  kindness. 

"  Good-by,  Frank :  good  luck  to  you,"  said  Colonel  Lloyd, 
holding  out  his  hand. 

I  returned  his  hearty  grasp,  and,  turning  to  my  men,  gave  the 
word.  We  were  soon  going  helter-skelter  down  the  precipi- 
tous face  of  the  Round  Top  ;  the  men  spreading  out  to  the 
right  and  left  like  the  edge  of  a  fan,  as  I  had  directed  them  to 
do. 

Scarcely  had  we  begun  the  descent  when  the  sharpshooters 
sent  their  bullets  whistling  among  us.  Two  of  the  men  fell 
wounded  before  we  got  half-way  to  the  bottom ;  and  b}^  the 
time  our  scattered  line  reached  the  level  ground  three  more 
were  down,  one  of  the  poor  fellows  being  killed.  I  had  previ- 
ously instructed  the  party  to  cover  themselves  as  best  they 
could  on  reaching  the  glen,  only  advancing  when  I  waved  my 
handkerchief  as  a  signal.  Every  man  was  to  fire  whenever  he 
saw  something  to  aim  at ;  and,  as  all  their  pockets  had  been 
filled  with  extra  cartridges,  I  knew  we  could  keep  up  a  steady 
and  constant  fusillade  for  some  time. 

When  I  reached  the  foot  of  the  hill,  I  dropped  behind  a 
bowlder  standing  conveniently  in  my  path,  and  saw  that  the 
men  were  following  my  example.  The  line  being  thus  estab- 
lished, we  opened  a  rapid  fire   sufficiently  accurate   to  keep 


246 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


the  enemy's  riflemen  tolerably  quiet.  From  bowlder  to  bowlder 
we  darted  forward  at  intervals,  thus  gradually  reducing  the 
range ;  and,  looking  up,  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  Gen- 
erals Meade  and  Warren  standing  undisturbed  on  the  lookout 
station.     We  had  made  their  station  a  safe  one,  at  all  events. 

An  hour  passed  in  this  way  ;  then  General  Meade  retired,  and 
a  signal  was  given  for  me  to  return.  On  attempting  to  obey, 
I  found  it  would  cost  too  many  lives,  so  decided  to  remain  for 
the  present.     If  we  must  be  hit,  it  was  better  to  fall  fighting 


GOING  FOR"   THE   REBEL   SHARPSHOOTERS. 


instead  of  retreating.  Shaking  my  head  at  Colonel  Lloyd's 
mute  command,  and  trying  to  prove  in  pantomime  the  hazards 
of  a  retreat,  I  prepared  to  advance  on  the  sharpshooters.  Gen- 
eral Warren,  who  was  still  standing  on  the  rock,  seemed  to  be 
pleased  with  my  decision ;  for  he  waved  his  hand  encouragingly, 
the  simple  act  setting  my  men  to  cheering  lustily.  Their  shouts 
accomplished  what  the  Confederate  rifle-bullets  had  failed  to 
do,  for  the  general  immediately  disappeared  from  our  sight. 

"That's  jist  loike  Gineral  Warren,"  remarked  Dennis,  who, 
as  usual,  was  near  me.  "He'd  make  a  good  Irishman,  he's 
so  fond  of  a  scrimmage." 


FACE   TO  FACE.  247 

"  Well,"  I  replied,  "  I'm  glad  he  approves  mj^  plan,  for  then 
the  colonel  can  not  scold  when  we  get  back." 

"  We'll  not  get  back  so  aisy,  leftinant  darlmt.  But  you're 
in  the  roight :  it's  betther  to  die  facin'  thim  divils  beyant,  than 
to  be  shot  runnin'  away  from  thim,  loike  so  many  rabbits." 

"  Pass  the  word  to  the  sergeants  that  we  are  going  forward, 
but  that  no  man  must  go  too  far  in  front  of  his  neighbors," 
said  I,  hoping  to  put  a  stop  to  the  corporal's  loquacity. 

"  We're  a  noice  lot  of  naybors,  anyhow,"  muttered  Dennis 
as  he  repeated  the  order. 

Little  by  little  we  crept  forward,  with  the  loss  of  only  one 
man,  until  the  line  reached  the  narrow  strip  of  clear  ground  in 
the  middle  of  the  glen.  Here  I  knew  we  should  be  compelled 
to  charge :  yet  I  hesitated  at  giving  the  order,  because  I  had  no 
idea  of  the  real  strength  of  our  opponents.  The  question  was, 
however,  settled  for  me  in  an  unexpected  manner.  Sergeant 
Johnson,  who  commanded  the  left,  had  succeeded  in  adroitly 
working  his  way,  with  half  a  dozen  men,  into  a  clump  of  bowl- 
ders that  overlooked  the  rocky  nest  in  which  the  Confederate 
riflemen  were  hidden.  Seeing  the  importance  of  his  position, 
the  sergeant  sent  a  well-directed  volley  among  them,  which, 
being  followed  by  another  from  our  main  line,  caused  evident 
confusion. 

This  was  our  opportunity,  so  I  waved  my  handkerchief;  and 
we  dashed  forward,  seizing  the  ledge  in  good  style,  as  the 
enemy  retreated,  though  we  missed  taking  any  prisoners  be- 
yond three  wounded  men  lying  behind  the  rocks. 

As  we  won  our  little  victory,  I  heard  our  brigade  cheering 
us ;  and,  though  we  knew  our  party  could  not  well  be  relieved 
before  morning,  the  praise  of  our  comrades  repaid  us  for  the 
danger  passed  through. 

Making  such  disposition  of  my  command  as  seemed  best  for 
holding  our  new  position,  I  made  up  my  mind  to  pass  another 
wakeful  night.  Of  course  we  could  have  no  fires  ;  so  I  munched 
a  cracker  or  two  by  way  of  supper,  Dennis  grumbling  discon- 


248  BULLET  AND   SUELL. 

solately  at  the  meager  fare.  One  of  the  men  offered  me  some 
hoe-cake  he  had  found  in  the  haversack  of  a  dead  Confederate, 
but  I  declined  it  with  a  feeling  of  horror.  Dennis  was  not  so 
squeamish ;  and,  as  I  watched  him  munching  tlie  dead  man's 
provender,  I  realized  the  vicissitudes  of  war,  and  how  soon 
men  become  hardened  in  the  presence  of  danger  and  death. 

The  sun  went  down,  and  the  night  proved  a  dark  one. 
Already  the  sulphurous  gases  engendered  by  the  heavy  cannon- 
ading and  musketry  during  the  past  three  days  were  gathering 
vapor  in  the  sky  ;  and  I  knew,  that,  as  on  all  great  battle-fields, 
we  should  soon  have  rain.  The  feeling  that  the  enemy's  power 
was  broken  for  the  time  made  our  army  careless,  for  numerous 
fires  were  blazing  all  along  the  main  lines.  The  Little  Round 
Top  was  clearly  defined  in  outline  by  these  ruddy  flames,  mak- 
ing our  advanced  position  appear  all  the  darker  by  the  contrast. 
Thus  the  day  passed  into  night. 

Midnight  came  ;  and  I  had  just  seen  the  sentinels  changed, 
when  one  on  the  right  fired  his  musket.  I  immediately  ran 
over  to  him. 

"  Why  did  you  fire,  Ferguson  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  I  think  there's  somebody  down  there  in  front,  for  I  heard 
the  clink  of  a  musket  against  a  stone  just  before  I  let  drive," 
was  Ferguson's  answer,  as  he  finished  reloading  his  musket. 

"  Well,  don't  fire  again,  unless  you  really  see  something,  until 
I  return.     I  am  going  down  along  the  line." 

All  of  the  sentinels  were  excited  by  Ferguson's  shot,  so  I 
found  them  naturally  on  the  alert.  Sending  one  of  them  for  the 
reserve,  I  went  back  to  the  man  causing  the  alarm ;  finding  him 
kneeling,  and  on  the  lookout  for  developments.  Soon  after 
Dennis  came  up  with  ten  or  fifteen  men. 

"  What's  the  matter,  leftinant  ?  "  he  whispered  :  "  are  we 
attacked  ?  " 

"  Not  yet,"  I  replied  in  the  same  low  tone ;  "but  we  may  be 
soon,  if  Ferguson  here  is  right.  He  thinks  he  heard  some  one 
in  the  hollow  below." 


FACE   TO  FACE.  249 

"  Look !  look ! ''  cried  Ferguson  eagerly,  as  he  pointed  out 
into  the  darkness  :  "  don't  you  see  somebody  now  ?  " 

"  No,  I  don't ;  but  wait  a  minute,  corporal :  scatter  the  men  a 
little,  and  send  Sergeant  Johnson  word  to  be  ready  to  resist 
an  assault  on  the  left,"  said  I,  as  quietly  and  composedly  as  I 
could,  though  I  now  began  to  fear  we  were  in  a  bad  box. 

I  had  scarcely  uttered  these  words,  when  I  distinctly  saw 
three  or  four  men  creeping  over  the  ground  a  few  rods  in  front. 
Knowing  that  a  bold  stroke  was  best,  I  changed  my  tactics, 
and,  instead  of  acting  on  the  defensive,  determined  to  attack. 
Dennis  and  his  men  had  not  yet  time  to  move  :  so,  with  a  sudden 
impulse,  I  shouted,  — 

"Forward,  Zouaves!     Charge!" 

My  men  followed  me  willingly,  so  we  went  bounding  over 
the  rocks  like  so  many  deer.  Our  movement  was  entirely 
successful ;  for  the  Confederates  were  in  a  little  bunch,  only 
half-prepared  for  the  assault  they  contemplated,  so  found  them- 
selves surrounded.  Two  or  three  attempted  resistance  when 
summoned  to  surrender;  but  they  were  promptly  knocked 
down,  our  prisoners  numbering  nearly  twenty  men. 

Sergeant  Foster  coming  up  with  some  of  his  men,  I  sent  him 
to  the  rear  with  our  captives,  keeping  Dennis  with  me  a  few 
minutes  to  see  if  there  were  signs  of  an}^  more. 

"  Begorra !  Master  Frank,"  said  Dennis,  laughing  gleefully, 
"  if  you  kape  on  at  this  rate,  we'll  be  afther  gobblin'  the  whole 
of  Gineral  Lee's  army." 

At  that  moment,  as  if  he  had  sprung  through  the  earth,  we 
were  confronted  by  a  man. 

"  Come,  you  fellows ! "  exclaimed  the  new-comer  authorita- 
tively, "  we  must  go  back.  There's  not  enough  of  us  to  seize 
those  rocks,  now  that  the  Yanks  are  on  the  watch.  Come,  fall 
back,  I  say,  and  make  no  noise." 

"  You  are  my  prisoner,  sir,"  said  I,  clutching  his  arm,  and 
thrusting  the  muzzle  of  my  revolver  into  his  face.  "  Surrender, 
sir,  as  your  men  have  done." 


250  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"Damnation!     Trapped?  and  by  a  Yankee." 

"  Yis,  trapped  loike  a  burrd,"  replied  Dennis,  seizing  the  pris- 
oner's other  arm.  "•  Ye  see,  it's  a  thrap  of  yer  own  contrivin', 
so  you  can't  complain." 

"  Oh !  I  know  I'm  caught,  safe  enough.  You  needn't  hold 
me  like  you  would  a  dog.  I  surrender.  It's  the  fortune  of 
war."  And,  as  the  Confederate  spoke,  he  unbuckled  his  sword- 
belt,  and  handed  his  weapons  to  me.  As  I  put  out  my  hand  for 
the  belt,  the  prisoner  seized  my  arm  in  his  turn,  hoarsely  ex- 
claiming, — 

"  Is  that  you,  Frank  Wilmot  ?  Good  God !  Am  I  your 
prisoner?" 

"  Tom  Marshall ! "  I  cried,  thoroughly  startled  and  amazed 
at  the  recognition. 

"  Yes,  Tom  Marshall.  Very  much  at  your  service,  sir,"  he 
replied  sarcastically.  "  So  we  meet  again,  Mr.  Wilmot,  do  we  ? 
But  under  rather  different  circumstances  from  when  we  parted." 

"  I  wish  to  God  you  had  fallen  into  other  hands  than  mine  !  " 
I  replied,  touched  to  the  quick  by  Tom's  sneers. 

"  An'  is  this  an  ould  frind  of  yours.  Master  Frank  ?  "  asked 
Dennis  wonderingly. 

"  Yes,  Dennis  ;  one  of  my  dearest  friends." 

"And  now  we  are  sworn  enemies,  meeting  on  the  battle- 
field," interrupted  Tom. 

"  No,  Tom,"  I  replied  warmly,  "  not  enemies.  We  can  never 
be  that.  Remember  your  last  words  when  we  parted,  —  '  broth- 
ers always.' " 

"  Pooh  !  we  were  boys  then,"  retorted  Tom. 

"  Bein'  yer  frind,  av  coorse  ye'r  sorry  he's  a  prisoner  ?  "  per- 
sisted Dennis. 

"I'm  sorry  the  chance  fell  to  me  to  make  him  one,"  said  I. 

"  Thin,  why  not  let  him  go  agin  ?  Shure,  there's  nobody  here 
but  our  three  selves.  None  of  the  b'yes  knows  we've  another 
prisoner." 

The  suggestion  was  a  startling  one.     Could  I  do  it?     And  I 


FACE   TO  FACE.  251 

began  weighing  my  duty  against  the  warm  feeling  of  friendship 
I  still  entertained  for  my  prisoner. 

"  Arrah !  an'  why  don't  ye  let  yer  frind  go  ?  "  said  Deimis, 
in  a  pitying  voice.     "  Shure,  nobody  will  be  the  wiser." 

"  I  will !  "  I  cried.  "  Tom,  you  are  no  longer  a  prisoner.  Go 
in  peace,  and  God  bless  you,  old  fellow  !  " 

"  Do  you  really  mean  it,  Frank  ? "  he  asked,  evidently  be- 
wildered by  my  words. 

"Yes.  I  release  you.  Here  is  your  sword  again.  Kate 
Marshall  shall  never  say  I  made  her  brother  a  prisoner  of 
mine." 

"  Well,  I  now  believe  in  the  old  saying  that  women  rule  the 
world,"  said  Tom  with  a  light  laugh,  as  he  took  back  his  sword 
and  revolver. 

"  Dennis,  go  back  to  the  line.  I'll  follow  you  in  a  moment," 
said  I. 

The  corporal  took  the  hint,  leaving  Tom  and  me  alone 
together.  As  he  disappeared,  Tom  seized  my  hand,  and  wrung 
it  heartily. 

"  This  is  very  good  of  you,  Frank.  I  know  how  hard  it  is 
for  you  to  do  this,  for  I  can  appreciate  your  sense  of  duty  to 
your  own  side  of  this  miserable  quarrel.  God  bless  you,  my 
dear  boy,  for  letting  me  go  !  I'll  never  forget  it  while  I  live," 
and  Tom's  voice  grew  tender  as  we  clasped  hands  once  more. 

"  I'll  walk  a  little  way  towards  your  lines :  I  suppose  it's 
safe  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes  !  Our  pickets  are  a  good  ways  off,  else  you  might 
have  been  my  prisoner  instead  of  my  captor." 

"  How  so  ?  I  don't  understand." 

"  Why,  when  that  fellow  of  yours  fired  off  his  confounded 
musket,  I  saw  we  were  discovered,  so  I  told  my  men  to  lay 
quiet  until  I  got  reinforcements ;  but  I  changed  my  mind,  and 
was  coming  back  to  withdraw  them  when  you  caught  me.  Do 
you  know,  I  took  you  and  that  Irishman  for  some  of  my  own 
men,"  and  Tom  laughed  carelessly. 


252 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


"  That  explains  why  we  captured  you  so  easily.     But  this  is 
■a  strange  thing,  Tom,  our  meeting  here  to-night." 
"  Isn't  it !     You  know  I  said  we  would  meet  again." 
"And  what  a  change  has  come  over  the  country  since  we 
last  saw  each  other,  three  years  ago  !  " 

"  Ah,  yes  !     "Why,  Frank,  you  would  scarcely  know  the  old 
valley  now." 
"  How  so  ?  " 

"  It's  a  perfect  wreck.  The  fields  overrun  with  weeds,  shade- 
trees  cut  down,  houses  and  barns  destroyed  by  fire  or  shattered 

by  shells :  even  the  negroes 
are  gone.  My  God !  what 
a  price  we're  paying  for 
secession ! " 

"  You  are  indeed,  Tom," 
I  replied.  "  Of  course  you 
now  see  that  that  very  act 
of  secession  has  precipitated 
the  evil  you  so  much  dread- 
ed. The  slaves  are  now 
emancipated." 

" Yes,  —  by  Lincoln's 

proclamation  ;  but  that  only 

holds     good     where     your 

armies  have  trod,  or  are  in  possession.     We  have  plenty  left 

yet." 

"  It  is  only  a  question  of  time,"  said  I.  "  You  can  not  ex- 
pect, surely,  that  the  South  is  going  to  finally  win." 

"  To  tell  you  the  truth,  Frank,  I  do  not.  But  we  must  part 
here.  Yonder  fire  is  my  line."  And  Tom  seized  my  hand  in  a 
fervent  grasp. 

"  Good-by,  Tom.  Let  us  hope  that  when  we  meet  again  it 
will  be  under  happier  auspices." 

"  Oh,  this  war  is  gone  up !  The  Southern  cause  is  dead. 
This  battle  has  already  turned  the  scale  against  us.     I  suppose 


GOOD-BY,   TOM.' 


FACE   TO  FACE.  263 

we  sliall  be  running  away  from  you  soon,"  said  Tom  bit- 
terly. 

"I  wish  the  war  ivas  over.  I  am  tired  of  this  terrible  slaugh- 
ter," said  I. 

"  So  am  I.  But  Bob  Lee  won't  give  up  just  j-et.  Ah ! 
Frank,  I'm  cured  of  my  foolish  ideas  of  State  and  Southern 
rights  and  wrongs !     There  was  no  need  of  our  going  to  war." 

"Is  that  the  feeling  in  your  army?" 

"  To  some  extent,  though  it  is  not  expressed  in  words." 

"  Then,  why  not  say  so  openly  ?  Peace  can  be  made  if  your 
leaders  speak  the  word." 

"But  the  terms,  Frank!  There's  the  rub.  No,  there  will  be 
a  good  deal  more  fighting  before  there's  peace,  more's  the 
pity." 

"It's  sad  business,"  I  replied:  "would  the  end  were  near!" 

"Would  it  were,  indeed!  But  I  must  be  going.  We  part 
now,  Frank,  dearer  friends  than  ever.  Good-by,  old  fellow !  " 
and  as  Tom  wrung  my  hand  he  darted  away  in  the  darkness. 
I  was  again  alone. 


254 


BULLET  AND  SHELL. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


LOST  AMONG   THE  DEAD. 


'  "With  shivered  armor  strewn,  and  on  a  heap 
Chariot  and  charioteer  lay  overturned." 

■  S  Tom  was  disappearing  in  the  darkness,  I 
stood  listening  to  his  retreating  footsteps 
until  they  died  away  in  the  distance.  Then  I 
realized  that  I  had  parted  once  more  from  an 
honest  heart  and  true  friend.  What  did  it 
signify  that  he  wore  the  Confederate  gray,  and 
I  the  Federal  blue?  we  were  still  brothers  at 
heart.  Soldiers  on  opposite  sides  of  a  mighty 
struggle,  we  were  still  held  by  the  bonds  of 
our  college  friendship.  I  therefore  felt  re- 
joiced at  our  meeting,  even  though  it  had  led 
"  ^---^  ,'  me  to  swerve  from  the  strict  line  of  my  duty 
in  releasing  him. 

When  we  had  parted  three  years  before,  it  was  in  the  sun- 
shine, and  our  paths  lay  among  the  signs  of  peace  and  pros- 
perity. Now  Tom  had  left  my  side  in  the  gloom  of  night,  on 
the  battle-field,  strewn  as  it  was  with  the  stiffened  corpses  of 
those  whose  fate  it  had  been  to  fall.     What  a  contrast ! 

Putting  aside  these  thoughts  with  an  effort,  I  at  length 
turned  my  steps  towards  the  little  picket,  whose  fortunes  were 
for  the  time  bound  up  in  my  own. 

I  had  proceeded  only  a  short  distance,  when  I  became  aware 
that  I  was  on  new  ground  ,•  the  rocks  and  bowlders  over  which 
Tom  and  I  had  stumbled  being  no  longer  in  my  path.     This 


LOST  AMONG    THE  DEAD.  255 

was  a  dilemma  for  wliicli  I  had  little  relish,  for  I  was  anxious  to 
reach  my  command  as  soon  as  possible.  I  knew  it  was  danger- 
ous to  shout,  for  I  might  draw  upon  me  the  fire  of  my  own 
pickets ;  and  there  would  be  little  glory  in  being  shot  by  Fed- 
eral bullets. 

Impatient  and  angry  at  my  own  stupidity  in  not  having  kept 
the  bearings  of  my  position,  I  took  a  careful  survey  of  the 
lights  along  our  main  line,  hoping  by  that  means  to  discover 
the  rocks.  But  the  fires  on  the  interior  lines  were  smoldering 
as  the  army  slept :  so  I  was  the  more  confused,  not  knowing 
which  way  to  turn.  Walking  cautiously  towards  such  lights  as 
I  could  see,  I  had  not  gone  far  Avhen  I  suddenly  tumbled 
headlong  into  a  wide  ditch.  Rising  to  my  feet  again,  I  was 
startled  to  find  that  I  had  fallen  over  some  corpses.  Then  the 
dismal  fact  dawned  upon  my  mind:  I  had  missed  my  way,  and 
Avas  lost,  — lost  among  the  dead  of  the  battle-field! 

The  sickening  odor  that  rose  from  the  bodies  I  had  unwit- 
tingly disturbed  by  my  fall,  proved  that  they  had  been  dead 
some  time.  The  men  had,  no  doubt,  fallen  early  in  the  day 
when  we  were  hurried  from  our  reserve  position  to  succor  the 
Third  Corps.  Still,  this  knowledge  gave  me  no  clew  to  my 
whereabouts,  for  I  did  not  remember  having  seen  any  ditch 
during  the  few  minutes  my  brigade  had  remained  in  the  glen. 
The  absence  of  any  rocks  or  outcropping  ridges  was  proof  that 
I  had  strayed:  so  I  endeavored  to  find  the  way  back,  by  turning 
sharply  to  the  right,  hoping  soon  to  find  my  feet  on  familiar 
ground.  But  this  movement,  instead  of  bringing  me  to  the 
rocks  I  had  left,  carried  me  farther  over  the  field ;  and  I  began 
wandering  recklessly  about,  neither  knowing  nor  caring  whither 
my  errant  footsteps  might  lead  me. 

It  was  my  first  experience  of  a  deserted  battle-field  in  the 
darkness  of  the  night ;  and,  though  not  easily  cowed,  I  became 
possessed  by  a  feeling  of  nameless  horror  at  being  thus  com- 
pelled, as  it  were,  to  keep  unwilling  companionship  with  the 
dead.     Danger  might  be  faced,  —  indeed,  would  have  been  wel- 


256  BJLLET  AND   SHELL. 

corned  as  a  relief;  but  the  feeling  that  I  could  not  escape  from 
this  labyrinth  of  death  was  indeed  an  awful  sensation. 

Once  I  tumbled,  at  full  length,  over  two  bodies,  my  horror 
increased  at  finding  my  face  close  to  the  swollen  and  bloody 
features  of  the  dead  man  who  lay  uppermost.  The  corpses 
seemed  to  be  everywhere,  for  at  times  I  could  not  put  my  foot 
to  the  ground  without  feeling  some  portion  of  a  man's  body 
beneath  it.  Turn  where  I  would,  I  found  myself  surrounded  by 
these  revolting  evidences  of  man's  hatred  and  strife.  My  head 
grew  dizz}^  and  a  feeling  of  sickness  crept  over  me,  as  I 
staggered  over  the  ground,  carpeted,  as  it  was,  with  the  slain  of 
both  armies.  Here  were  confused  heaps  of  dead  men,  Federal 
and  Confederate,  lying  mingled  as  they  fell  fighting  one  another. 
Feeling  my  way  among  them,  I  found  three  or  four  lying  clo^e 
together,  side  by  side,  at  their  feet  another  body,  at  their  heads 
two  more.  One  poor  fellow  had  evidently  struggled  a  moment 
for  life  after  receiving  his  mortal  wound,  then,  pillowing  his 
head  on  the  breast  of  a  dead  comrade,  lay  passive  as  Death 
swept  his  dark  wings  over  the  plain.  Judging  from  the  position 
of  some  other  bodies  I  stumbled  over  a  few  paces  beyond,  a  fear- 
ful shower  of  grape  and  canister  must  have  torn  the  ranks  of  a 
regiment  into  shreds ;  for  fifty  or  sixty  men  lay  here  in  a  row, 
some  on  their  faces,  others  on  their  backs,  while  the  attitudes 
of  a  few  betrayed  the  agony  endured  before  death  ended  their 
sufferings.  Though  these  bodies  could  be  but  dimly  seen  in 
the  darkness,  I  fancied  the  glazed  eyes  of  the  dead  were  leering 
at  me.  Leaving  the  sleeping  battalion,  I  came  across  the  corpse 
of  a  little  drummer-boy,  who  lay  -sVith  his  arms  still  clasped 
around  his  drum,  his  head  shattered  by  a  shell.  Brave  boy ! 
he  had  beaten  his  last  rataplan.  Now  the  scabbard  of  a  sword 
jingled  as  my  uncertain  foot  struck  it,  the  wearer  being  in  a 
sitting  posture,  his  legs  shattered  by  a  round  shot. 

Death !  death  everywhere,  in  all  its  horrid,  awful  forms ! 
The  swift  bullet  and  the  cruel  shell  both  had  been  at  work ; 
and  I  realized  what  a  price  is  paid  for  victories. 


LOST  AMONG    THE  BEAD.  257 

Still,  I  could  not  find  ni}-  picket-post,  and  was  wholly  igno- 
rant of  my  whereabouts;  for  now  I  came  to  the  scene  of  another 
desperate,  bloody  struggle,  the  bodies  rapidly  accumulating 
under  my  feet,  as  they  lay  in  confused  masses  on  the  grass. 
Tumbling  over  one  of  these  ghastly  mounds  of  half-rotten 
flesh,  I  was  startled  at  finding  a  human  hand  thrust  into  my 
face.  For  a  moment  I  imagined  I  had  found  a  living  man 
amidst  the  dead,  but  on  closer  scrutiny  I  saw  that  the  hand 
was  a  lifeless  one.  The  soldier's  death  had  been  so  instanta- 
neous, that,  as  he  fell  with  outstretched  arm,  the  muscles  became 
rigid,  the  stiffening  fingers  remaining  poised  in  death,  pointing 
to  the  heavens  whither  the  spirit  had  taken  its  flight.  The 
man's  musket  lay  across  his  chest ;  and,  putting  my  hand  on  the 
weapon,  I  found  it  still  clutched  by  the  dead  owner. 

Half  mad,  with  a  feeling  of  fear  tugging  at  my  heart-strings, 
I  dashed  wildly  from  the  spot,  and,  stumbling  and  falling,  con- 
tinued my  career  over  the  encumbered  field. 

Yet  I  did  not  escape  the  presence  of  the  dead ;  for,  as  I  sub- 
sequently discovered,  I  was  going  round  and  round,  like  a  man 
entangled  in  the  depths  of  a  forest.  Owing  to  the  darkness,  I 
imagined  that  I  had  traveled  a  mile,  though  in  reality  I  did 
not  leave  the  vicinity  of  the  glen.  Besides  the  bodies,  my  feet 
encountered  muskets  and  knapsacks  in  extraordinary  confusion; 
and  once  I  narrowly  escaped  a  fall  over  the  distended  carcass 
of  a  horse,  killed  perhaps  while  his  rider  was  bravely  cheering 
on  his  men,  or  trying  to  restore  order  in  a  broken  line.  Next 
my  knee  struck  an  exploded  caisson,  and  a  moment  after  I  ran 
full  tilt  against  a  dismantled  cannon.  Round  the  piece  there 
had  been  an  awful  combat,  for  the  sod  was  thickly  covered  with 
the  dead.  Utterly  exhausted  by  my  unavailing  efforts  to 
extricate  myself  from  this  mass  of  moldering  corpses,  I  deter- 
mined to  halt  where  I  was. 

"  I'll  go  no  farther,"  I  cried.  "If  I  must  lodge  with  the  slain, 
I'll  do  it  here." 

Seating  myself  on  the  broken  field-piece,  I  waited  impatiently 


258  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

for  the  dawn  that  was  to  drive  away  these  wild  fancies  and 
restore  me  to  my  men.  But  the  darkness  still  held  my  senses 
inthralled ;  and,  as  I  threw  myself  on  the  disabled  cannon,  I  fan- 
cied that  weird  arras  were  pointing  with  shriveled  fingers  at  the 
living,  shrinking  man  in  their  midst.  Try  as  I  would,  I  could 
not  shake  off  the  feeling  that  uncanny  shapes  were  abroad  ;  and 


LOST  ON  THE    I5ATTLE-FIELD. 


I  fell  more  and  more  under  the  influence  of  these  ghostly  fears, 
despite  my  better  reason.  The  exciting  duty  I  had  performed 
since  reaching  the  field  of  Gettysburg  had  so  affected  my  nerv- 
ous system  that  these  hallucinations  seemed  dread  reality. 
Thus  I  watched  for  the  daylight. 

Not  a  shot  had  been  fired  since  I  parted  with  Tom  INIarshall. 
Both  armies  were  exhausted  by  fatigue,  and  they  slumbered  in 
silence.  Nearly  two  hundred  thousand  men  were  sleeping 
around  me,  while  I  was  sitting  wakeful  and  alone  among  the 
dead. 

When  I  began  hoping  that  the  day  would  soon  break,  strange 
lights  appeared  in  the  distance,  disappearing  as  soon  as  seen. 


LOST  AMONG    THE  BEAD. 


259 


Supposing  them  to  be  carried  by  ambulance-parties  in  search  of 
wounded,  I  rose  to  meet  them.  But  before  I  had  taken  many 
steps,  I  was  surprised  to  see  one  of  these  mysterious  lights  quite 
near  me,  though  there  were  no  footsteps,  no  voices.  The  flame 
grew  brighter  and  brighter,  and  then  suddenly  expired.  Then 
the  truth  flashed  upon  my  mind :  the  light  was  caused  by  the 
mephitic  gases  escaping  from  putrefying  corpses. 
"  Help  —  help  —  water  —  water  !  " 
The  words  were  uttered  a  little  way  off,  in  a  moaning  voice ; 

and  when  I  heard  them  I  knew  some  wounded  wretch  needed 

succor.    With  a 

feeling  of  relief 

at  the  presence 

of  some  human 

life   among   the 

dead,  I  hastened 

towards     the 

sounds. 

"Water — wa- 
ter !  —  my  God ! 

—  is  there  —  no      ~ 
help  —  water  — 
a  —  little  —  wa- 

—  ter !  " 

^  The  faint  and  weary  cry  was  now  almost  at  my  feet.  Drop- 
ping on  my  hands  and  knees,  I  crawled  cautiously  forward. 

"Where  are  you?  I  bring  you  water,"  I  cried  cheerily,  my 
nerves  now  as  firm  as  steel. 

"  Here,"  said  the  voice  more  faintly. 

In  a  moment  I  was  at  the  man's  side,  finding  him  in  the 
midst  of  a  group  of  the  dead. 

"  Here  you  are,"  said  I,  unslinging  my  canteen  and  holding 
it  to  his  lips.     "  But  don't  drink  too  fast." 

The  wounded  man  clutched  the  vessel,  and  soon  I  heard  the 
water  gurgling  down  his  throat:  when  he  stopped  for  breath  I 


WATER,   FOE  GOD'S   SAKE ! 


260  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

took  the  canteen  from  him,  fearing  that  if  he  drank  too  much 
it  would  kill  him. 

"  Ah,  that  was  heavenly  !  Oh,  how  thirsty  I  was  I  I  thought 
you  would  never  come  !  " 

"  I  only  heard  you  call  a  moment  ago,  and  came  as  quickly 
as  I  could.     How  long  have  jo\x  been  lying  here  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know.  I  was  hit  when  we  first  began  to  fall  back, 
and  could  not  get  up  again.  Then  I  fainted,  I  suppose.  When 
I  came  to  again,  I  found  my  leg  was  smashed." 

"That  must  have  been  the  day  before  yesterday.  Do  you 
belong  to  Sickles's  corps  ?  " 

"  Yes.     We  got  doubled  up  in  the  orchard  here." 

"But  how  did  you  contrive  to  live  so  long  without  food  or 
water?"  I  asked,  marveling  at  the  man's  tenacity  of  life. 

"  I  had  a  little  water  when  I  went  down,  and  I  managed  to 
get  some  more  from  the  canteen  of  the  dead  man  here  beside 
me.  I  did  not  care  much  for  food,  though  I  did  eat  a  little 
yesterday.  But  I  was  afraid  of  those  shells.  I  expected  every 
minute  to  be  hit.  One  of  them  burst  a  little  way  off,  and  blew 
a  dead  man  all  to  pieces.  I  thought  the  same  thing  would 
happen  to  me  before  they  stopped.  Oh,  it  Avas  awful  to  hear 
those  shells ! "  and  I  could  feel  the  poor  fellow  shudder  at  the 
recollection  of  his  fears  during  that  terrible  artillery  duel. 

"  Well,  you  will  be  all  right  now,"  I  replied  encouragingly. 
"  When  daylight  comes,  I'll  see  you  safely  carried  to  the  rear." 

"  Give  me  another  drink.     I  feel  so  thirsty  and  faint !  " 

I  gave  him  back  the  canteen,  and  he  took  a  long,  long 
draught.  But  it  was  to  be  his  last ;  for  the  strength  gained  by 
imbibing  the  water  set  his  pulse  beating  quicker,  and  tlie  hem- 
orrhage of  his  wound  broke  out  afresh. 

"  Say,  friend,  I  feel  very  weak.  Am  I  going  to  die  ?  Oh, 
say  I'm  not  dying ! "  and  the  wretched  man's  voice  quivered 
with  agony  as  he  asked  the  question. 

"I  hope  not,  my  man.  Keep  quiet  now.  It  will  soon  be 
daylight." 


LOST  AMONG    THE  BEAD.  261 

"  All  right,"  he  replied,  resting  his  head  on  a  corpse  behind 
him. 

By  this  time  the  first  faint  streaks  of  daylight  began  stealing 
over  the  field,  enabling  me  to  distinguish  objects  at  a  little  dis- 
tance. Still  kneeling  beside  my  new-found  charge,  I  watched 
the  trees  and  rocks  reveal  their  outlines.  Next  the  corpses  of 
men  and  horses,  the  broken  cannon,  the  scattered  muskets,  all 
the  debris  of  the  battle,  became  visible  in  their  rude  deformity 
and  confusion.  Little  by  little  the  light  grew  stronger,  until 
my  whereabouts  could  be  ascertained.  I  then  found,  that,  on 
parting  with  Tom  Marshall,  I  had  unwittingly  moved  to  the 
right  of  our  line,  and  so  wandered  in  a  circle  scarcely  a  thou- 
sand yards  from  my  little  party. 

Looking  across  the  open  plain,  I  could  see  the  ground  thickly 
covered  with  the  dead,  the  result  of  the  Confederates'  mad  but 
heroic  charge.  In  rifts  like  new-mown  grass  in  the  hayfield, 
lay  long  lines  of  slain  men ;  while  here  and  there  were  confused 
heaps  of  corpses,  as  though  Death,  the  reaper,  had  already 
begun  to  reckon  up  and  garner  his  harvest.  Everywhere,  on. 
either  hand,  before  and  behind  me,  jyas  death,  —  death  in  all 
its  diversity  of  form. 

Here  lay  the  placid  figure  of  a  young  man,  as  though  asleep, 
his  head  resting  on  the  arm  that  held  his  musket.  Death  had 
come  to  him  with  a  light  touch,  swiftly,  mercifully.  Before 
the  body  had  fallen  to  its  mother  earth,  the  spirit  had  soared 
aloft  above  the  shock  and  turmoil  of  battle.  Near  this  young 
and  apparently  sleeping  soldier,  the  shattered  and  contorted 
limbs  of  a  gray-haired  man  betrayed  a  different  fate ;  for  the 
swollen  and  blackened  face  of  the  corpse  bore  traces  of  the 
suffering  endured  before  death  had  set  its  irrevocable  seal  on 
the  life  struggling  for  supremacy. 

Averting  my  eyes  from  this  broad  expanse  of  slaughtered 
men,  I  turned  my  attention  to  the  wounded  one  before  me. 
Alas!  death  had  added  another  victim  to  the  long  list  to  be 
made  upon  that  bloody  field ;  for  he  had  expired,  silently,  peace- 


262  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

fully,  while  asleep.  If  I  had  been  too  late  to  save  him,  I  had 
at  least  the  consolation  of  knowing  that  I  had  soothed  his  last 
hour. 

I  should  never  know  who  he  was ;  and  none  of  those  who 
loved  him  would  know  that  in  the  silence  of  the  night,  with  his 
head  pillowed  on  a  corj3se,  his  life  had  ebbed  away. 

"  And  this  is  the  glory  of  war !  "  I  exclaimed,  rising  from  my 
knees  to  join  my  command. 


MOVING  IN   PURSUIT. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 


MOVmG   IN   PURSUIT. 


'  The  army,  like  a  lion  from  his  den, 
Marched  forth  with  nerve  and  sinews  bent  to  slay.' 


OON  after  I  had  rejoined  the  regiment  with 
my  men,  Sedgwick's  corps  advanced  across  the 
field  in  heavy  columns.  But  how  diiferent 
was  the  scene  !  When  the  Confederates  came, 
they  had  to  face  a  storm  of  lead  and  iron,  only 
to  be  beaten  back  after  frightful  loss.  Now  the 
Sixth  Corps  marched  quietly  over  the  plain, 
heralded  by  no  sound  of  cannon.  Amidst  pro- 
found silence  the  three  long  columns  reached 
the  trees  where  Lee  had  formed  his  lines  for 
the  charge.  When  the  Federal  army  saw  the 
corps  carry  their  Roman-cross  banners  into  the 
woods,  it  knew  that  the  Confederates  had  abandoned  their 
position. 

'^  Lee  has  retreated  !  See  !  Sedgwick  crosses  the  line  with- 
out firing  a  shot ! "  exclaimed  Major  Harding,  gazing  through 
his  glass. 

"You  are  right,"  said  Colonel  Lloyd.  "General  Warren 
said  yesterday  he  believed  the  enemy  had  fallen  back." 

"  Then,  why  didn't  we  have  a  general  advance  at  once  ? " 
grumbled  Captain  Burch. 

"  That's  a  question  I  have  just  asked  myself,"  said  the  colo- 
nel ;  "  for  I  heard  Warren  urge  Meade  to  send  Sedgwick's  and 


264  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

our  corps  over  right  after  that  terrible  charge  of  theii'S.  But 
Meade  preferred  to  wait  a  day :  he  perhaps  feared  a  trap." 

"  Trap  !  As  if  we  couldn't  charge  and  fight  as  well  as  they," 
exclaimed  the  pugnacious  captain  angrily.  "  We  always  lose 
the  fruits  of  our  victories  by  indecision  and  cautiousness.  I'm 
sick  of  it,"'  and  the  choleric  captain  began  swearing  in  a  fright- 
ful way. 

"Come,  come,  Burch,"  remarked  Major  Harding  in  his  usual 
good-natured  tone.  "  You  always  find  fault.  Remember  the 
great  responsibility  resting  on  Meade's  shoulders.  A  single 
false  step  might  imperil  the  whole  campaign." 

"It's  those  people  in  Washington,  who  are  to  blame,"  said 
Captain  Burch. 

"  Never  mind,  captain :  we  have  good  reason  to  be  grateful 
for  our  victory,"  said  Colonel  Lloyd.  "  This  battle  is  the  turn- 
ing-point in  the  war." 

"  A  good  deal  to  brag  about,  after  losing  twenty  or  thirty 
thousand  men :  very  satisfactory  that,  I  must  say." 

"  Upon  my  word,  Burch,  you  are  exceedingly  difficult  to 
please.  Battles  can  not  be  fought  without  somebody  being 
killed,"  replied  the  colonel  impatiently. 

"  Oh !  never  mind  him,  colonel,"  said  Major  Harding.  "  Burch 
is  never  so  happy  as  when  he  has  a  fair  chance  to  grumble :  it's 
his  way." 

"  That's  right,  go  ahead  :  I'm  used  to  being  abused." 

As  the  captain  spoke,  our  sergeant-major  approached  the 
colonel. 

"  Orders  from  brigade  headquarters,  sir.  We  are  to  be  ready 
to  move  at  a  moment's  notice." 

"Of  course.  Now  that  the  bird  has  flown,  we  are  to  go  on 
an  infernal  chase  until  we  haven't  a  leg  to  stand  on,"  growled 
Captain  Burch,  evidently  delighted  at  having  a  fresh  oppor- 
tunity to  vent  his  spleen. 

"Do  be  quiet,  Burch,"  said  Major  Harding  sharply.  "If  you 
don't  like  campaigning,  why  don't  you  resign  ?  " 


3I0VING   IN  PURSUIT.  265 

"•  What !  go  home  before  the  job's  over  ?  No  :  I  "11  stick 
it  out,  and  see  the  end  of  this  confounded  war,  if  it  don't  put 
an  end  to  me ; "  and  the  captain  laughed  in  a  jeering  Avay  that 
grated  on  my  ears. 

Tlie  sound  of  our  brigade  bugle  put  an  end  to  the  conversa- 
tion, and  we  busied  ourselves  in  seeing  the  men  into  their 
places.  As  Captain  Burch  and  I  listened  to  the  sergeant's  roll- 
call  of  our  company,  we  found  twenty-one  men  absent,  nine  of 
them  reported  as  killed.  There  was  no  time  for  sorrow,  how- 
ever ;  for  the  brigade  began  moving  off  the  hill  immediately 
after.  As  we  descended  into  the  road,  I  saw  that  the  whole 
army  was  in  motion ;  our  batteries  were  already  leaving  the 
crest  of  Cemetery  Ridge,  and  long  lines  of  infantry  were  on 
the  march.  But,  instead  of  following  the  Sixth  Corps,  we  were 
going  towards  the  rear. 

Away  on  our  right  a  column  of  cavalry  appeared  on  the 
road,  where  we  had  seen  the  rider  of  the  white  horse  previous 
to  the  Confederate  charge ;  and,  as  they  came  galloping  up,  I 
knew  the  pursuit  had  begun  in  earnest.  An  hour  later,  and 
the  field  of  Gettysburg  was  deserted ;  its  unburied  dead  and 
sinister  rows  of  new  graves  alone  attesting  the  recent  presence 
of  the  contending  armies. 

"  Well,  Master  Frank,  that's  the  end  of  the  biggest  scrimmage 
we've  had  yit,"  said  Dennis  as  we  turned  into  the  road. 

"  Yes,  indeed.  Yon  and  I,  Dennis,  will  remember  Gettysburg 
as  long  as  we  live,"  I  replied. 

"  Begorra,  I  don't  want  to  forgit  it :  we  had  more  fun  there 
than  ivir  before.  An'  that  frind  of  yours,  he'll  not  forgit  it  in 
a  hurry,  aither."' 

"  We  will  not  talk  of  him,  Dennis.  I  saw  General  Fletcher 
this  morning,  and  told  him  the  whole  story." 

"  An'  what  did  he  say  ?  " 

"He  looked  grave  at  first,  but,  as  I  went  on,  his  face 
brightened,  and  he  seized  my  hand,  and  called  me  a  right  good 
fellow." 


266  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  The  ould  brigadier  is  a  thrump,  that's  what  he  is,"  said 
Dennis  enthusiastically. 

"  He  gave  me  a  bit  of  advice  which  I  shall  follow,  and  I  want 
you  to  do  the  same." 

"  I  undherstand.  The  divil  a  word  more  I'll  shpake  about 
it,"  and  Dennis  dropped  away  from  my  side  as  if  to  avoid 
further  temptation. 

We  had  marched  only  a  few  miles  when  the  threatening  rain 
descended,  and  soon  we  were  all  drenched.  So  pitiable  was 
our  condition  that  a  halt  was  called  near  a  range  of  hills ;  and 
as  the  men  put  up  their  shelter-tents,  and  built  fires,  I  heard 
the  dull  booming  of  distant  cannonading.  I  knew  by  this  that 
the  advance  had  struck  Lee's  rear-gviard,  so  we  would  be  soon 
at  his  heels.  The  corps  broke  camp  at  daylight  the  following 
morning,  in  a  pouring  rain  which  continued  until  noon.  Wet 
to  the  skin,  the  troops  splashed  through  the  mud  merrily,  and 
crossed  South  Mountain  during  the  afternoon,  leaving  the  rain 
behind  us  as  we  passed  over  the  range.  By  forced  marches  we 
finally  reached  the  Upper  Potomac,  near  Falling  Waters,  three 
days  after. 

As  the  corps  joined  the  army,  we  were  ordered  into  line  of 
battle ;  and  at  the  same  moment  I  was  called  for  picket-duty. 
We  had  scarcely  reached  our  post  when  orders  came  to  advance 
as  skirmishers. 

"  Troth,  and  we're  in  for  another  scrimmage,"  said  Dennis, 
examining  the  nipple  of  his  rifle ;  "  though  this  skarmishin'  is 
nasty  work." 

"  You  need  not  have  volunteered  to  come." 

"I  volunteered  because  we  have  the  divil's  own  luck  to- 
gether," replied  Dennis.  "Don't  I  always  have  lots  of  fun 
along  wid  ye  ?  " 

"  There  will  be  precious  little  fun  here,"  said  I,  tightening 
my  sword-belt,  "but  plenty  of  hot  work," 

Just  then  the  bugle  sounded,  and  away  went  the  line  through 
the  woods.     Cautiously  moving  from  tree  to  tree,  we  had  gone 


MOVING  IN  PURSUIT.  267 

only  a  few  hundred  yards,  when  bullets  began  singing  in  the 
air,  like  the  buzz  of  angry  bees.  At  the  same  moment  the 
men  in  possession  of  a  road  on  the  right  began  firing  rapidly. 
The  musketry  ran  rippling  along  the  line  as  the  men  advanced, 
and  the  woods  rang  with  the  reports  of  our  rifles.  Judging 
from  the  rapidity  of  our  opponents'  fusillade,  they  were  in 
strong  force ;  and,  though  we  gained  ground,  several  of  our 
men  were  hit. 

"  Captain  Hoyt  is  killed,  sir,"  said  a  sergeant  from  one  of 
the  other  regiments,  as  he  ran  towards  me. 

"Killed?     How?" 

"  He  started  from  one  tree  to  another  near  the  road,  but  was 
picked  off  directly  he  showed  himself." 

"  Well,  you  must  go  to  the  left,  and  tell  Captain  Judkins  he 
is  in  command  now,  and  say  I  have  taken  the  right  of  our  line 
until  he  can  come  up.     Look  out  you  don't  get  hit  yourself.'' 

As  the  sergeant  disappeared  on  his  errand,  I  proceeded  cau- 
tiously towards  a  brick  schoolhouse  that  stood  by  the  side  of 
the  road.  Just  as  I  reached  the  last  tree  nearest  the  build- 
ing, I  heard  Dennis's  voice. 

"For  the  love  of  God,  don't  come  any  closer,  leftenant 
darlint,  or  you're  a  dead  man.  Shure,  they've  got  the  range 
on  us." 

Wondering  where  the  corporal  could  have  got  to,  I  looked 
in  every  direction,  but  failed  to  see  his  face. 

"Where  the  dickens  are  you,  Dennis?  "  I  shouted. 

"  Here,  sir :  here  amongst  the  children's  copy-books,"  cried 
Dennis,  his  face  peering  at  me  from  inside  the  schoolhouse-door. 

"  Come  out  of  that,  you  skulker,"  I  shouted  angrily  :  "  what 
possessed  you  to  go  in  there  ?  " 

"  We  thought  it  wud  be  an  illigant  place  to  shoot  from  ,  but 
thim  divils  in  the  abbathy  beyant  have  got  the  dead  wood  on 
us,  and  we  durstn't  stir  a  hand  or  a  fut." 

"How  many  are  there  of  you?  " 

"  Foive,  besides  mesilf;  an' thim  Ribs  are  puttin'  their  bul- 


268  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

lets  in  the  door-frame  as  thoiigh  they  were  drivin'  nails  in  a 
man's  coffin." 

"  Well,  stay  where  you  are  for  the  present." 

Darting  from  tree  to  tree  until  I  gathered  eight  or  ten  men, 
we  crept  into  the  abatis  that  blockaded  the  road.  Here  we 
had  a  clear  range  of  the  pits  commanding  the  schoolhouse ;  our 
bullets  breaking  up  their  fire,  and  enabling  the  corporal  and 
his  comrades  to  escape. 

"  Shure  I've  heard  it  said  that  too  much  larnin'  is  a  danger- 
ous thing,  but  I  never  knew  how  much  thruth  there  was  in  the 
ould  sayin'  until  I  got  caught  in  that  murdherin'  bit  of  a 
shkoolhouse,"  said  Dennis,  as  he  and  his  party  joined  me  among 
the  fallen  trees  in  the  road. 

"  I  wonder  what  the  schoolmaster  will  say  when  he  comes, 
and  sees  how  they  have  riddled  his  door  and  windows,"  re- 
marked one  of  Dennis's  companions. 

"  Troth  an'  I  dunno.  But  if  the  leftinant  hadn't  come  up 
as  he  did,  faix,  some  of  us  would  have  finished  our  eddication 
by  this  toime.  As  fur  the  door,  it's  splintered  into  kindlin'- 
wood." 

The  Federal  musketry  had  now  became  general  all  along  the 
skirmish-line  of  our  corps ,  those  belonging  to  the  division  on 
our  right  succeeding  in  breaking  through  the  pits  occupied  by 
the  Confederates,  their  men  falling  back  sullenly.  As  we 
entered  the  open  fields,  Captain  Judkins  came  towards  me, 
holding  his  arm  as  if  in  pain. 

"  I've  got  it  pretty  hot,  Wilmot,"  said  he,  "  and  must  go  to  the 
rear,  for  the  wound  is  a  bad  one.  You  are  in  command  now. 
Remember  you  are  the  only  officer  left,  so  take  care  of  your- 
self." 

Nodding  in  reply,  I  continued  to  push  my  men  forward  in 
order  to  straighten  the  line.  The  Confederates  at  the  same 
moment  broke  away  on  a  run ;  and  off  we  went  with  a  rush 
after  them,  my  men  loudly  cheering.  Suddenly  the  bngle 
sounded  a  halt ;  and  we  obeyed  the  call,  though  we  could  not 


MOVING  IN  PURSUIT.  269 

imagine  why  it  was  given.     Sitting  clown  on  a  stump,  I  waited 
for  further  developments. 

To  my  surprise,  there  was  no  sign  of  any  strong  force  of  the 
enemy,  no  batteries  on  the  rising  points  of  ground  as  one  might 
expect.  It  was  very  strange.  The  stubborn  fight  made  by 
their  pickets,  followed  by  so  hasty  a  retreat,  was  so  unusual,  I 
could  not  understand  it. 

"An'  where  the  divil  have  they  all  gone  to?"  said  Dennis; 
"  an'  why  have  they  stopped  us  now  roight  in  the  middle  of  the 
hunt?" 

"  I'm  sure  I  don't  know,"  I  replied.  "  It  seems  like  a  general 
skedaddle,  over  there." 

As  I  spoke,  the  corporal's  eyes  became  fixed  on  some  object 
in  the  distance. 

"  An'  what  can  that  be  ?  "  he  asked. 

"It  looks  like  a  man,"  I  replied. 

"  Why,  it's  a  nagur,"  shouted  Dennis,  leaping  to  his  feet. 

The  contraband  continued  to  approach  until  stopped  by  one 
of  the  sentinels,  who  pointed  to  me.  The  negro  at  once  came 
forward  to  where  I  was  sitting. 

"Is  yer  de  gineral  ? "  he  asked  with  a  broad  grin  on  his 
ebony  features. 

"  What  general  do  you  want?  " 

"  Why,  de  big  gineral,  —  de  biggest  of  dem  all.  I  just  thou't 
as  tho'  yous  mou't  be  a  gineral." 

"What  do  you  want  to  see  the  general  for?  " 

"I  wants  fur  to  tell  him  de  inforbation.  I  golly!  I'se  a 
heap  of  news  fur  de  old  man,"  and  the  darky  laughed  glee- 
fully. 

"  Tell  us  what  ye  mane,  ye  murdherin'  black  sarpint,"  ex- 
claimed Dennis,  his  eyes  blazing  with  anger.  "  Out  wid  it  this 
minnit,  or  I'll  send  ye  to  kingdom  come  in  a  jiffy." 

"  I'se  no  brack  sarpint,  no  mor'  dan  yous  be.  I'se  a  cullured 
gem'man.  Dat's  what  I  is,"  undauntedly  replied  our  sable 
visitor. 


270 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


"Be  quiet,  Malone,"  said  I.  "  Come,  my  fine  fellow:  you 
must  tell  me  first  what  your  news  is,  before  you  can  see  any 
general." 

"  Arrah,  let's  hang  the  black  divil  to  the  tree  below.  He's  a 
spy,"  cried  Dennis,  evidently  intending  to  frighten  the  poor 
negro.     "  Say,  boys,  shall  we  do  it?  " 

"Yes,  yes.  Up  with  him  !  "  replied  two  or  three  of  the  men, 
joining  in  with  Dennis's  hvunor. 

"  O  massa,  massa  !  I'se  no  spy.     Don't  you  go  fur  to  hang 


DEY  S   ALL  DONE   GONE,    SAH! 


dis  yah  nigger.  I'se  Pete,  a  rigilar  Union  man.  I'se  tells  yer 
all  I  knows,  an'  dat's  a  fac'." 

Seeing  that  the  man  was  thoroughly  frightened,  I  took  ad- 
vantage of  Dennis's  joke. 

"Well,  be  quick  about  it,  then.     What  do  you  know?" 

"  Well,  yer  see,  massa  ossifer,  dey's  all  done  gone  dis  heah 
four  hours." 

"  All  gone  !     Who  has  gone  ?  " 

"  Why,  massa  Lee  and  all  the  Varginny  sodgers.  Dey's  he's 
clar'  gone  'cross  de  ribber." 


MOVING  IN  PURSUIT.  271 

"Are  you  sure  of  that?  Come,  my  colored  friend,  be  care- 
ful what  you  say." 

"  Fo'  God,  massa,  it  am  de  trufe.  Day's  bin  all  gone.  I'se 
seen  dem  go  'cross  dis  yeah  morning  wid  my  own  two  eyes ; " 
and  the  negro  raised  his  hand  as  if  taking  an  oath. 

This  was  indeed  news  for  General  Meade ;  and  it  explained 
the  activity  of  the  Confederate  pickets  and  their  precipitate 
retreat  when  we  finally  entered  the  open  country.  Sending  the 
contraband  to  the  reserve,  in  charge  of  a  file  of  men,  the  entire 
line  of  pickets  soon  received  orders  to  advance.  The  men 
dashed  forward  like  a  pack  of  schoolboys  at  play,  but  we  found 
no  trace  of  Lee's  army  until  we  reached  a  road  in  the  hollow. 
Then  the  story  of  the  retreat  was  easily  read.  Knee-deep  in 
mud,  I  saw  that  one  of  Lee's  columns  had  pushed  through  it  in 
great  haste  :  infantr}^  cavalry,  and  artillery,  all  left  their  traces ; 
while  two  or  three  wrecked  wagons,  half-buried  in  the  mire, 
showed  how  urgent  had  been  the  haste.  Lee  had  once  more 
out-maneuvered,  out-generaled  us :  we  must  now  seek  him  on 
the  old  familiar  ground  along  the  line  of  the  Rappahannock 
and  the  Rapidan.  The  fox  had  doubled  on  the  hounds,  but  we 
would  soon  catch  the  scent  again. 

While  my  men  were  rummaging  among  the  debris  of  a  de- 
serted camp  in  search  of  trophies,  the  several  corps  came  ad- 
vancing towards  us  in  grand  lines.  But  it  seemed  a  foolish 
show  of  numbers,  now  that  the  foe  had  so  cleverly  escaped. 
Along  the  river-bank  a  cloud  of  cavalry  was  galloping ,  and  as 
they  rode  forward,  and  were  hidden  by  a  belt  of  trees,  some 
dropping  shots  told  too  plainly  the  fate  of  the  Confederate 
pickets  who  had  so  bravely  held  us  in  check  while  their  com- 
rades crossed  the  Potomac  in  safety. 

That  night  our  army  began  moving  for  the  fords  below 
Harper's  Ferry,  in  hopes  of  being  able  to  head  off  Lee  at  the 
gaps  in  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains. 


272  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

AN   ADVENTURE   ON   THE   ROAD. 

"  He  that  stands  upon  a  slippery  place, 
Makes  nice  of  no  vile  hold  to  stay  him  up." 

E  had  reached  the  Pleasant  Valley,  in  the  most 
picturesque  part  of  Marj'land,  and  were  al- 
ready in  sight  of  the  South-Mountain  range. 
The  movement  of  the  army  was  very  rapid; 
for  the  need  of  haste  was  urgent,  Lee  having 
secured  the  interior  line  of  operations.  The 
constant  and  fatiguing  marches  we  had  en- 
dured ever  since  leaving  Gettysburg  had  so 
inflamed  my  injured  foot,  the  pain  became  at 
last  unbearable  ,  and  I  was  compelled  to  ask 
"J^-.  ^— - -?;'-:r^  permission  to  fall  out  of  the  line  for  rest.  I 
^^  '^'''  made  my  application  to  General  Fletcher,  when 

the  column  halted  during  the  afternoon  a  few  miles  after  Ave 
passed  Antietam  bridge. 

"I'm  very  sorry  you  are  unable  to  keep  up  with  us,  Wilmot," 
said  the  general,  as  he  countersigned  my  surgeon's  pass.  "  If  I 
had  a  spare  horse,  you  could  serve  temporarily  on  my  staff,  but 
unluckily  we  are  short  of  horse-flesh.  You  can  be  of  great  use, 
however,  even  in  the  rear.  It  is  very  necessary  that  all  the 
stragglers  should  be  hurried  forward,  for  we  shall  probably 
cross  the  Potomac  in  tAvo  or  three  days.  So  you  will  please 
use  all  possible  diligence,  lieutenant,  in  overtaking  us ,  and  I 
rely  on  your  zeal  in  bringing  up  the  laggards." 


AN  ADVENTURE  ON   THE  ROAD.  273 

"  I'll  do  my  best  to  do  so,  sii',"  I  replied,  delighted  at  having 
a  definite  duty  to  perform,  though  in  the  rear  of  my  corps. 

"I've  no  doubt  of  it,  Wilmot,"  said  the  general  kindly,  "else 
I  would  not  ask  you.  Of  course  you  will  find  unruly  fellows 
among  the  stragglers,  as  well  as  good,  willing  ones :  so  use  the 
latter  to  discipline  the  others.  Good-by :  I  see  the  column  is 
in  motion  ahead." 

It  was  with  strange  emotions  that  I  saw  the  brigade  march  on, 
leaving  me  sitting  by  the  wayside.  I  almost  felt  that  my  com- 
rades had  deserted  me. 

I  had  been  sitting  by  the  stone  wall  for  nearly  an  hour, 
watching  the  fag-ends  of  the  command  creep  on  after  the  main 
body,  when  to  my  astonishment  I  perceived  Dennis  Malone 
leisurely  walking  back  over  the  road.  As  soon  as  he  caught 
sight  of  my  face,  the  faithful  fellow  flourished  his  fez  over  his 
head,  and  ran  towards  me. 

"Why  have  you  left  the  regiment,  Dennis?"  I  exclaimed,  as 
he  coolly  sat  down  by  my  side  and  unslung  his  knapsack. 
"  You  are  not  sick  or  wounded?  " 

"The  saints  be  praised,  no!  I'm  as  solid  and  sound  as  a 
six-pound  shot.  But,  master  Frank,  you  mustn't  be  angry. 
Though  I'm  not  sick,  I  felt  bad  enough  whin  I  found  you  had 
fallen  out  of  the  ranks  becase  of  yer  fut.  So  I  made  bould,  an' 
tould  the  docther  I'd  take  a  pass  mesilf,  and  look  afther  ye." 
And  the  simple-hearted  corporal  turned  his  beaming  eyes  to  mine. 

"And  the  doctor  excused  you?"  said  I  incredulously. 

"To  be  shure  he  did.  Why  not?  Don't  iverybody  in  the 
rigiment  know  I'm  yer  silf-appinted  guardeen  ?  Ould  Physics 
laughed  whin  I  tould  him,  an'  sed  I'd  be  no  good  in  the  ranks 
widout  ye  .  so  he  handed  out  the  pass.     Here  it  is." 

"  Well,  Dennis,  I  am  very  grateful  to  you,  though  I  am  often 
at  a  loss  to  understand  why  you  think  so  much  of  me." 

"  That's  what  ye  always  say,"  retorted  Dennis.  "  You  forgit 
the  day  ye  saved  me  loife  in  the  shwamp,  whin  we  were  foightin' 
our  way  to  the  James.     But  I'll  niver  forgit  it,  anyhow." 


274  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

"  Oh !  you  canceled  that  debt  at  Gettysburg,  when  you 
thrust  your  bayonet  through  that  poor  fellow's  throat,  while 
we  Avere  fighting  over  those  guns.  But  never  mind,  sergeant: 
we  will  be  able  to  overtake  the  regiment  in  a  few  days." 

"Sargeant?  What  dye  mane  by  that?  Is  it  a  sargeant  I 
am  ?  "  exclaimed  Dennis  eagerly. 

"  Yes  :  Captain  Burch  handed  your  name  to  the  colonel  this 
morning.  Sergeant  Foster  is  a  lieutenant  now.  All  the  pro- 
motions will  be  announced  to-night  as  soon  as  the  regiment 
goes  into  camp." 

"  Wirra,  wirra  !  "  whimpered  Dennis.  "  To  be  read  off  a  sar- 
geant before  the  b'yes,  an'  me  a  sthraggler! 

"  It's  all  your  own  fault,"  I  replied,  laughing  despite  my  pain 
at  the  woful  face  of  my  new  sergeant.  "It's  your  own  fault. 
You  are  always  putting  your  foot  in  it." 

"  Nivir  moind,  leftinant,  so  long  as  it's  not  the  wrong  one," 
said  Dennis,  with  a  grin  on  his  honest,  good-humored  face. 
"  You  and  me  are  together,  an'  that  makes  it  all  roight." 

"  Thank  you,  sergeant.  To  tell  you  the  truth,  I  am  glad 
enough  to  have  you  with  me,  for  I  can  scarcely  walk.  Until  I 
get  a  good  rest,  I  shall  not  be  able  to  take  the  road.  Let  us 
choose  a  spot  for  camping." 

Dennis  jumped  up,  climbed  the  stone  fence  behind  me,  and 
took  a  survey  of  the  surrounding  country  with  all  the  gravity 
of  a  staff-engineer  selecting  suitable  ground  for  the  encamp- 
ment of  a  corps. 

"•  Now,  what  is  it  to  be  ? "  he  asked,  descending  from  his 
perch  of  observation.  "  Is  it  to  be  an  open  camp,  or  a  close 
one  ?  " 

"  What  in  the  name  of  common-sense  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"Is  it  to  be  in  a  house,  or  undher  a  tree?  Ye  hev  yer 
choice." 

"  Under  a  tree,  by  all  means,"  I  replied,  "  and  near  water 
where  I  can  bathe  my  foot.  It's  so  long  since  I  slept  under  a 
roof,  I  should  suffocate." 


AN  ADVENTURE   ON   THE  ROAB.  275 

"  Wicl  all  the  pleasure  in  loife.  Vm  in  favor  of  an  open  camp 
mesilf,  an'  thare's  an  illigant  spot  down  in  the  hollow  beyant." 

So  saying,  Dennis  picked  np  my  blanket  and  haversack,  and 
helped  me  to  rise.  With  some  difficulty  and  intense  pain  I 
contrived  to  reach  the  wide-spreading  tree  he  had  selected,  find- 
ing it  situated  near  a  mill-race.  The  afternoon  was  nearly 
spent  by  the  time  we  had  settled  ourselves ;  and  while  Dennis 
went  on  a  foraging  expedition,  I  enjoyed  a  bath  in  the  swiftly 
running  water,  afterwards  falling  into  a  delicious  sleep. 

When  I  awoke,  Dennis  was  by  my  side,  busy  over  tlie  fire 
preparing  supper ;  and  at  his  bidding  I  remained  stretched  on 
my  blanket,  grateful  for  my  rest  and  relief  from  pain. 

It  was  the  first  time  I  had  fallen  so  far  in  the  rear  of  the 
army,  since  we  had  been  abandoned  on  the  Rappahannock 
picket-line ;  and  the  novelty  of  the  situation  amused  and  inter- 
ested me. 

Though  the  evening  was  fast  approaching,  I  could  see  that 
the  main  road  was  still  full  of  straggling  soldiers,  many  of  them 
evidently  loitering  simply  for  the  freedom  of  action  it  gave 
them,  though  the  greater  part  were  suffering  from  illness  and 
exhaustion.  Even  horses  had  succumbed  to  the  fatigues  of  the 
march ;  a  section  of  a  battery  having  fallen  out,  and  gone  into 
bivouac  in  the  fields  on  the  other  side  of  the  road. 

As  the  sun  began  to  sink  behind  the  distant  range  of  Tatoc- 
tin  Mountains,  the  white  tops  of  a  wagon-train  could  be  seen 
in  the  distance,  as  it  slowly  proceeded  in  the  direction  the 
corps  had  gone ,  and  I  heard  the  clatter  of  a  cavalry  patrol  or 
escort  as  it  trotted  over  the  little  wooden  bridge  that  spanned 
the  creek.  The  voice  of  a  plow-boy  shouting  to  his  cattle, 
the  loud  barking  of  a  dog  at  a  neighboring  house,  and  the 
mournful  caw  of  a  crow  flying  overhead,  were  then  the  only 
sounds.  All  else  was  quiet ;  and  it  was  strange  to  find  one's 
self  in  the  midst  of  peace  so  soon  after  the  excitement  of 
battle,  and  the  stirring  sights  and  sounds  attending  an  active 
campaign. 


276  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

After  supper  and  a  quiet  smoke  of  our  pipes,  Dennis  wrapped 
a  wet  handkerchief  round  my  swollen  foot,  when  we  went  to 
bed  with  our  weapons  safely  stowed  between  us.  It  was  not 
until  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day  that  I  ventured  to  take 
the  road ;  having  a  double  purpose  in  view,  —  to  rest  my  foot, 
and  give  time  for  the  stragglers  to  get  well  on  ahead. 

We  had  proceeded  only  a  few  miles  Avhen  we  fell  in  with  a 
party  of  a  dozen  who  had  gone  into  what  seemed  a  permanent 
camp.  I  at  once  ordered  them  to  pack  up  and  accompany  me, 
which  tliey  did  after  considerable  grumbling.  In  this  way  I 
gathered  nearly  fifty  men  before  sunset,  and  then  halted  for  the 
night.  The  next  day  we  were  on  the  march  in  good  season ; 
and  I  was  fortunate  in  overtaking  another  officer,  my  junior  in 
rank,  besides  two  or  three  sergeants.  As  I  now  had  over  one 
hundred  men  under  my  command.  Lieutenant  Beach  was  a 
great  acquisition. 

With  his  help  and  that  of  the  sergeants,  I  managed  to  keep 
my  ill-assorted  battalion  in  decent  soldierly  shape ;  and  we  were 
near  the  South  Mountains  when  the  hour  for  camping  arrived, 
the  number  of  men  being  now  nearly  two  hundred. 

The  next  morning  I  roused  the  men  for  an  early  start,  as  I 
hoped  to  reach  the  lines  of  the  army  before  nightfall.  A  few 
of  the  stragglers  had  decamped  during  the  night ,  their  absence 
not  being  regretted,  for  they  -had  kept  the  rest  in  ill-humor  by 
their  mutinous  spirit.  Dennis  had  found  a  stray  horse  some- 
where during  the  night,  and  improvised  a  saddle  with  his 
blanket,  and  one  of  the  men  picked  up  a  broken  bridle  and 
bit:  so  I  was  duly  mounted,  and  presented  a  tolerably  imposing 
appearance  at  the  head  of  our  little  column. 

We  made  a  march  of  five  or  six  miles  before  the  sun  was 
warm,  hoping  to  get  to  the  mountain-gap  before  noon.  In  this 
we  were  doomed  to  disappointment ;  for  at  a  cross-roads  we 
suddenly  encountered  a  force  of  fifty  or  sixty  cavalrymen, 
under  command  of  a  captain,  having  in  custody  some  three 
hundred  Confederate  prisoners.     Halting  to  let  them  have  the 


AN  ADVENTURE  ON   THE  ROAD.  277 

road,  I  was  surprised  to  see  their  commanding  officer  draw 
rein. 

"  I'm  glad  we  have  met  you,  sir,"  said  he  courteously.  "  You 
are  to  take  charge  of  these  prisoners." 

"  Nonsense  !  "  I  replied.  "  These  are  a  lot  of  stragglers  I've 
picked  up.     Why  should  I  take  your  duty  off  your  hands  ?  " 

"  Because  such  are  my  orders ;  which  were,  to  turn  these 
men  over  to  the  first  infantry  column  I  met,  and  return  to  my 
brigade,  now  on  a  reconnoissance." 

"  But  this  is  not  an  infantry  column,  I  tell  you :  only  a  few 
stragglers  I  am  taking  into  camp." 

"You  seem  to  have  got  them  into  pretty  good  shape," 
remarked  the  captain.  "  From  the  looks  of  your  command 
you  can't  deny  you  are  infantry,  and  in  column." 

"  But  it's  a  difficult  job  for  infantry,  as  you  are  pleased  to 
call  this  ragged  battalion  of  mine.  We  can  not  ride  a  man 
down  as  you  can,  should  he  attempt  to  escape." 

"  Pshaw !  Haven't  you  your  muskets  ?  If  any  should  at- 
tempt to  run,  shoot  them  down,"  replied  the  captain  coolly. 

Finding  that  there  was  no  help  for  it,  I  called  my  command 
to  order,  and  saw  that  every  musket  was  properly  loaded; 
then,  reluctantly  signing  a  receipt  for  the  prisoners,  watched 
the  cavalry  gleefully  gallop  away. 

"  This  is  a  nice  piece  of  business,  Beach,"  said  I,  looking  at 
the  prisoners  seated  in  the  road.  "It's  a  bad  job,  but  we  must 
do  our  best." 

"  Well,  do  you  know  now,  I  rather  like  it,  Wilmot,"  rejplied 
the  lieutenant. 

"  Begorra !  it's  the  best  thing  that  could  have  happened. 
It'll  give  the  b'yes  something  to  think  of,  an'  kape  them  out  of 
mischief,"  remarked  Dennis. 

"  I  hope  so,"  said  I.  "  Lieutenant,  }' ou  will  take  the  head  of 
the  column,  while  I  ride  in  the  rear.  Malone,  you  stay  with 
me.     The  other  sergeants  must  keep  well  out  on  the  flanks." 

These  directions  being  obeyed,  I  gave  the  order  to  march. 


278  BULLET  ANT)   SHELL. 

On  mounting  my  horse  I  found  that  Dennis  had  obtained  a 
spare  saddle  and  bridle  from  one  of  the  cavalrymen,  so  I  felt 
more  at  ease  on  my  steed.  The  captain  had  advised  me  to 
take  the  road  to  the  right,  as  it  led  direct  to  Harper's  Ferry, 
distant  some  twelve  miles :  therefore  I  took  the  new  road,  and 
proceeded. 

The  prisoners  seemed  quite  content,  and  gave  us  no  trouble. 
Indeed,  one  informed  me  that  the  cavalry  had  hurried  them 
greatly,  so  our  more  moderate  pace  was  an  agreeable  relief. 
I  had  announced  that  all  who  obeyed  would  be  kindly  treated, 
but  if  any  one  attempted  to  run  away  he  would  be  shot.  As 
these  orders  were  expected  by  the  Confederates,  they  jogged 
along  very  amicably.  We  marched  at  a  sharp  pace  for  infantry ; 
because  I  was  determined  to  reach  the  Ferry  before  nightfall, 
and  so  rid  myself  of  my  troublesome  charge. 

In  an  hour  or  two  we  reached  tho-  outlying  spurs  of  the 
mountains  that  help  to  form  Pleasant  Valley,  and  by  noon 
were  in  the  midst  of  the  range.  Halting  my  command,  I 
marched  into  an  open  bit  of  ground  in  the  woods  to  the  left  of 
the  road,  and  allowed  my  prisoners  and  their  guard  to  rest  by 
the  side  of  a  mountain  brook  which  went  tumbling  noisily  over 
its  rocky  bed.  The  Confederates  were  huddled  together  in 
the  center,  with  my  men  sitting  around  them,  a  few  files  being 
on  guard.  Though  our  halting-place  was  entirely  hidden  from 
the  road,  I  deemed  it  prudent,  as  we  were  going  away  from 
the  army  at  every  step,  to  throw  out  a  few  pickets  among  the 
trees  on  the  side  of  the  road.  I  gave  the  command  of  these 
pickets  to  Dennis,  instructing  him  to  keep  them  concealed. 
Much  to  the  annoyance  of  both  prisoners  and  escort,  I  forbade 
the  lighting  of  fires,  as  the  smoke  might  betray  our  presence. 
This  precaution  proved  to  be  a  wise  one. 

With  my  revolver  on  the  grass  beside  me,  I  sat  apart,  nib- 
bling a  biscuit  or  two,  thinking  of  the  many  adventures  I  was 
having,  and  wondering  if  this  was  to  be  the  last  one. 

Suddenly  Dennis  came  running  in. 


AN  ADVENTURE  ON   THE  ROAD.  279 

"  Be  all  the  powers !  we're  in  the  divil's  own  scrape  now. 
Shure,  there's  a  lot  of  Rib  cavalry  coming  down  the  moun- 
tain. Begorra !  the  boot's  on  the  other  leg  now ;  for  we'll  all 
be  captured,  and  go  to  Richmond  the  wrong  Avay." 

"  Don't  talk  so  loud ! "  I  exclaimed,  thoroughly  startled  at 
Dennis's  words.     "  Are  you  sure  that  they  are  Confederates  ?  " 

"•  Shure  !  Don't  ye  suppose  I  know  a  butthernut  coat  from  a 
blue  wan  ?  "  replied  Dennis  in  an  indignant  tone. 

"  Go  back  and  reconnoiter.  If  they  discover  us,  fire  off  your 
piece,  and  take  to  the  trees.  We  will  do  the  same  at  your  sig- 
nal. Cavalry  can  not  pursue  us  in  these  woods.  Meanwhile  I 
must  keep  these  fellows  quiet." 

As  Dennis  saluted,  and  darted  into  the  woods  again,  I  called 
to  my  men,  and  ordered  them  to  cover  the  group  of  prisoners 
with  their  muskets,  and  at  the  same  time  telling  the  Confeder- 
ates that  any  outcry  on  their  part  would  be  the  signal  for  a 
volley  into  their  midst. 

It  was  a  dreadful  moment.  Here  I  was  prepared  to  slaughter 
unarmed  men,  purely  at  the  instinct  of  self-preservation ;  for  I 
had  no  desire  to  be  made  a  prisoner,  and  marched  to  the  Con- 
federate capital.  The  prisoners  failed  at  first  to  understand 
our  alarm  and  sudden  change  of  demeanor,  but  the  sight  of 
two  hundred  muskets  ^sternly  leveled  at  their  breasts  taught 
them  we  were  in  danger.  Still  the  love  of  life  was  too  strong 
for  them  to  make  any  effort  for  liberty,  so  they  cowered  down 
and  remained  silent,  motionless.  Then  the  sharp  clatter  of 
horses'  hoofs  sounded  in  the  stony  road,  and  I  felt  as  if  my 
heart  had  stopped  beating  during  those  few  moments  of  terrible 
suspense.  Our  only  danger  was  that  my  horse  might  neigh  at 
the  near  presence  of  the  cavalry,  and  I  uncharitably  wished  the 
animal  dead. 

To  my  delight,  the  intelligent  creature  remained  quiet,  only 
pricking  up  his  ears  at  the  sounds  in  the  road.  In  a  few  min- 
utes, which  seemed  hours  to  me,  the  column  passed  on :  still 
Dennis's  musket  remained  mute.      I  began  to  breathe  again, 


280  BULLET  ANB   SHELL. 

when  Dennis  came  back,  waving  his  hat,  a  sign  that  the  dan- 
ger was  over. 

"  Hurroo  !  They're  gone,  the  saints  be  praised !  They're  in 
a  hurry,  as  though  the  divil  was  afther  'em.  We're  all  safe, 
b'yes." 

"  That  was  a  narrow  escape,  Wilmot,"  said  Lieutenant  Beach. 
"  I've  not  had  so  close  a  squeak  of  it  since  I've  been  in  the 
army.  Thank  Heaven,  they  didn't  molest  us !  for  I  hated 
the  alternative  of  shooting  down  these  poor  devils." 

"  We  would  ncft  have  had  much  time  to  do  it,  even  if  I  had 
given  the  word,"  I  replied. 

As  I  spoke,  we  were  again  startled  by  the  sound  of  more 
horsemen.  Dennis  disappeared  under  the  trees,  but  soon  re- 
turned shouting  out  that  it  was  a  force  of  Federal  cavalry. 

I  ran  out  to  the  road,  bidding  Lieutenant  Beach  to  bring  our 
column  after  me.  On  reaching  the  road,  I  found  myself  in  the 
midst  of  one  of  Kilpatrick's  regiments. 

"Are  you  in  pursuit  of  that  Confederate  cavalry  that  has 
just  passed  ?  "  I  asked  of  an  officer,  as  he  drew  rein  in  astonish- 
ment at  my  unexpected  appearance. 

*•'  Yes.     Are  they  long  gone  ?  " 

"They  can  not  be  more  than  a  mile  or  two  ahead." 

"All  right.  But  who  are  you?  and  what  is  this  you  have 
with  you  ?  "  asked  the  officer  as  my  command  began  filing  into 
the  road. 

"  A  lot  of  prisoners  bound  for  Harper's  Ferry,"  said  I.  "  We 
had  fortunately  halted  in  the  woods,  or  we  might  have  been 
captured  in  our  turn." 

"  Oh,  no  !  They  knew  we  were  too  close  after  them  for  that, 
I  fancy.  Though  they  might  have  split  a  few  heads  open. 
But  this  won't  do  for  me :  I  must  be  off." 

"  One  moment,  sir.  Is  the  road  to  Harper's  Ferry  quite  clear? 
It's  ticklish  business,  this  guarding  prisoners  on  foot."' 

"  Oh !  it's  quite  safe,"  was  his  response :  "  you  can  move 
ahead  without  fear.      Good-by,  and  good  luck  to  you !  "  and 


AN  ADVENTURE  ON   THE  ROAD.  281 

then,  putting  spurs  to  his  steed,  the  speaker  dashed  off  after 
the  rear  of  his  column. 

We  had  not  gone  far  when  we  heard  rapid  shots  being  ex- 
changed among  tlie  hilLs  ;  and,  on  looking  back,  I  could  see  that 
our  cavalry  had  overtaken  their  quarry,  and  were  pushing  them 
hard. 

If  my  men  had  been  willing  to  do  duty  before,  they  were 
now  enthusiastic.  Their  narrow  escape  from  capture  had 
shown  them  the  danger  of  straggling,  and  the  value  of  disci- 
pline and  organization.  True,  we  were  taking  a  longer  march 
than  if  we  had  kept  straight  on  after  the  army ;  but  the  novelty 
of  our  situation  and  the  comparative  freedom  of  our  move- 
ments delighted  them.  The  Confederates  were  naturally  de- 
pressed by  the  fact  that  they  had  been  so  near  freedom,  but 
they  accepted  the  situation  without  a  murmur. 

We  reached  Point  of  Rocks,  a  few  miles  below  Harper's 
Ferry,  by  sunset;  and,  as  my  command  descended  the  steep  road 
to  the  river-bank,  I  heard  my  name  uttered  by  some  one  in  the 
rear.  Turning  in  my  saddle,  I  recognized  Osborne,  the  corre- 
spondent. 

"What  in  the  world  have  you  there,  lieutenant?"  he  cried 
on  overtaking  me. 

"  A  lot  of  prisoners  taken  by  our  cavalry  with  a  train  they 
destroyed  over  in  the  valley." 

"  Where  did  you  find  them  ?  " 

"  I  didn't  find  them,"  I  replied  with  a  laugh :  "  they  found 
me." 

"  I  never  was  any  hand  at  guessing  'riddles,"  said  Osborne 
rather  impatiently.     "  How  did  you  come  by  the  Confeds  ?  " 

Briefly  explaining,  I  halted  the  column  under  the  towering- 
cliffs  of  stone  which  give  the  place  its  name,  and  announced 
my  intention  of  proceeding  to  the  Ferry. 

"You  had  better  stop  here  for  the  night,"  remarked  the  corre- 
spondent. "  It  will  be  quite  night  before  you  can  reach  the 
Ferry,  and  may  lose  some  of  your  prisoners  in  the  darkness.     I 


282  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

would  advise  you  to  go  down  the  river  instead  of  up.  They 
won't  thank  you  for  your  prisoners  there." 

"  Why  ?     Is  the  place  threatened  ?  "  I  asked. 

"Not  yet.  But  there's  no  telling  what  Lee  may  do.  A 
part  of  his  army  is  still  at  Martinsburg." 

"  I  am  disposed  to  follow  your  advice,  but  where  am  I  to  stow 
away  these  bothersome  prisoners  ?  " 

"Why,  right  here  in  the  sheds.  They're  all  empty.  The 
quartermaster  can  have  no  objection." 

"Speaking  of  quartermasters,  reminds  me  that  we  have  no 
rations.     Perhaps,  after  all,  I  had  best  go  to  the  Ferry." 

"  Nonsense  !  I'll  introduce  you  to  Marston.  He's  a  crusty 
old  chap,  and  may  make  a  fuss  at  first ;  but  he'll  come  round 
in  time." 

"  Oh  !  if  I'm  to  beg  for  supplies,  I  prefer  going  to  the  Ferry. 
The  general  in  command  will,  of  course,  see  that  I  am  taken 
care  of." 

"  You're  almost  as  crotchety  as  old  Marston,"  said  Osborne. 
"  Come  along  and  see  him." 

"  You  correspondents  take  matters  very  easy,  Osborne." 

"  Why  shouldn't  we  ?     Independence  is  our  motto." 

"  So  I  judge,  by  your  way  of  doing  things,"  I  replied. 
"  Where  is  this  paragon  of  quartermasters  to  be  found  ?  " 

"  There  are  his  quarters,"  said  Osborne,  pointing  to  a  house 
near  the  railroad-sheds. 

Requesting  Lieutenant  Beach  to  keep  the  men  together,  I 
followed  the  correspondent. 

"Major  Marston,"  said  he,  accosting  an  elderly  officer  we 
found  seated  on  the  veranda,  "  allow  me  to  introduce  Lieuten- 
ant Wilmot.      He's  got  a  lot  of  prisoners,  and  wants  rations." 

"Haven't  any  to  spare,"  replied  the  quartermaster  ungra- 
ciously.    "  How  many  men  are  there  ?  " 

"About  five  hundred  in  all,"  I  replied.  "We  have  not  a 
mouthful  to  eat." 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  " 


AN  ADVENTURE   ON   TUE  ROAD.  283 

"  I  did  intend  going  to  the  Ferry,  but  Mr.  Osborne  tells  me 
they  are  expecting  an  attack  up  there  :  so  I  think  I'll  stay  here 
over  night,  and  start  down  the  river  in  the  morning." 

"  You  had  better,"  replied  the  quartermaster.  "  They  would 
give  you  a  blessing  up  at  the  Ferry,  and  send  you  kiting  back." 

"  Well,  major,  if  you  will  let  me  put  the  prisoners  in  the 
sheds,  and  give  us  a  day's  rations,  I  shall  be  all  right." 

"  Oh  !  I'm  not  going  to  issue  any  thing :  most  of  our  stores 
were  sent  away  days  ago." 

"  Come,  major,  let  Mr.  Wilmot  have  the  grub  for  his  party. 
I'm  going  to  write  a  dispatch  to-morrow,  and  shall  mention  the 
arrival  of  the  prisoners:  it  will  look  well  to  say  that  Major 
Marston  supplied  them,"  said  Osborne  coaxingly. 

"  Well,  if  you  intend  that,  I  don't  mind  doing  something," 
replied  the  quartermaster,  evidently  mollified  by  the  prospect 
of  a  little  newspaper  fame.  "  Bring  up  your  party,  lieuten- 
ant." 

"Didn't  I  tell  you  we  would  manage  it?"  said  Osborne,  as 
Ave  rode  back  to  my  command.  "There's  nothing  these  quarter- 
masters like  more  than  being  mentioned  in  the  newspapers." 

"What  earthly  use  can  it  be  to  them?" 

"  Oh !  you  see,  they  are  always  in  the  rear,  and  are  seldom 
thought  of.  Why,  I  know  one  fellow  who  keeps  a  scrap-book  ; 
and  he  is  always  doing  correspondents  favors,  just  for  such 
chances." 

A  few  minutes  after,  I  marched  my  nondescript  battalion  to 
the  sheds,  and  had  the  gratification  of  seeing  both  prisoners 
and  guards  bountifully  supplied  with  food.  Declining  the 
quartermaster's  invitation  to  supper,  Lieutenant  Beach  and  my- 
self quartered  ourselves  in  a  corner  of  the  shed,  and  watched 
Dennis  prepare  our  supper.  He  had  managed  to  buy  some 
bacon  and  eggs,  and  was  in  his  element. 

"  By  George ! "  said  Osborne,  sniffing  at  the  odor  of  the 
broiling  bacon,  "  I  guess  I'll  bunk  in  with  you  myself,  if  you 
have  no  objection." 


284  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  None  in  the  least.  You  forget  what  service  you  have  been 
to  us,"  said  I. 

"  Fudge !  old  Marston  was  bound  to  help  you.  I  only 
hastened  his  decision." 

"  Well,  sit  down.     What's  the  news  ?  " 

"  Meade  is  pushing  rapidly  for  the  gaps  in  the  Blue  Ridge. 
His  advance  is  already  past  Leesburg,  and  the  main  body  will 
cross  the  river  to-morrow  or  the  next  day.  Your  corps  is  at 
Berlin.     I  suppose  you  heard  of  Vicksburg  ?  " 

"  Vicksburg  ?  no  :  we've  heard  nothing.  What  has  happened  ? 
not  a  defeat  ?  " 

"  Defeat !  I  should  say  not.  Why,  don't  you  know  that 
Pemberton  has  surrendered,  bag  and  baggage  ?  "  said  Osborne 
wonderingly. 

"Surrendered!  you  don't  say  so!"  exclaimed  Lieutenant 
Beach.  "  Of  course  we  haven't  heard  any  thing :  you  forget 
it's  nearly  a  week  since  we  saw  the  army." 

"  Well,  it  does  seem  odd  to  find  anybody  who  don't  know  of 
Grant's  victory." 

"  When  did  it  occur  ?  "  said  I. 

"  On  the  fourth  of  July,  the  same  day  we  beat  Longstreet 
back  at  Gettysburg.  I  tell  you  what  it  is,  that  fellow  Grant's 
going  to  make  his  mark  before  this  war  is  over." 

"  Well,  Meade  has  given  Lee  the  hardest  blow  he's  got  yet," 
remarked  Lieutenant  Beach. 

"  That's  so,"  said  Osborne  :  "  he  won't  make  any  more  inva- 
sions.    Do  you  know,  I  begin  to  see  the  beginning  of  the  end  ?  " 

"  I'm  not  so  sure  of  that,"  I  replied.  "  The  Confederates 
will  fight  as  long  as  they  have  a  leg  to  stand  upon." 

"  Of  course  they  will,"  retorted  Osborne ;  "  but  hang  it, 
man,  they  can't  fight  for  ever." 

"No,  but  they'll  not  give  up  until  every  resource  is  ex- 
hausted." 

"Sure  enough,"  said  the  correspondent.  "All  the  more 
glory  in  whipping  them." 


AN  ADVENTURE  ON   TUE  ROAD.  285 

"Well,  Osborne,  you  won't  have  much  share  in  it.  Why- 
did  you  leave  the  army  ?  " 

"My  wound  was  a  pretty  bad  one,  —  I  got  it  at  Antietam,  — 
and  they  mustered  me  out :  so  I  went  back  to  the  pencil  and 
note-book.  It's  more  exciting  and  pleasant,  besides  being 
better  paid." 

"  Supper's  ready,"  cried  Dennis,  dishing  up  the  bacon  and 
eggs. 

The  night  passed  quietly;  and,  after  breakfast  the  next 
morning,  I  bade  Osborne  and  the  quartermaster  good-by,  tak- 
ing the  road  for  Berlin,  a  little  straggling  village  on  the  river- 
bank,  arriving  there  during  the  afternoon.  Marching  up  to 
our  corps  headquarters,  I  made  my  report  to  General  Sykes, 
who  seemed  astonished  at  my  arrival. 

"  Upon  my  word,  sir,  you  deserve  great  credit  for  your  suc- 
cess. Bringing  up  so  many  stragglers  in  such  shape  was  a  good 
thing,  but  to  escort  a  lot  of  prisoners  with  such  a  commo.nd 
was  a  greater  feat." 

"Thank  you,  general;  but  Lieutenant  Beach  deserves  as 
much  credit  as  I  do." 

"  You  both  did  well.  I  am  proud  to  have  two  such  officers 
in  my  command,"  replied  the  general  warmly.  "  The  provost- 
marshal  will  relieve  you  of  your  prisoners  ;  then  you  and  your 
men  can  return  to  your  respective  regiments." 

The  transfer  was  soon  made,  when,  after  saluting  the  general, 
I  dismissed  my  battalion,  and  soon  after  was  among  my  brother 
officers,  relating  my  adventures. 


286 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER   XXV. 


FENCING   FOR   AN   OPENING. 


'■  Leading  on  land  his  bravely  toiling  men, 
Sought  a  possession  he  could  safely  hold. 


HE  Fifth  Corps  began  crossing  the  Potomac 
on  the  following  day ;  and  we  entered  on  a 
tedious  campaign,  Avhich,  though  conspicuous 
for  rapid  marches  and  frequent  skirmishes,  was 
unmarked  by  pitched  or  decisive  battles. 

But,  though  Meade  failed  to  do  more  than 
occui^y  Lee's  attention  in  the  Virginia  Valley, 
events  in  the  West  and  South-west  moved 
rapidly.  The  battle  of  Gettysburg  and  the 
fall  of  Vicksburg  were  followed  closely  by  the 
capture  of  Port  Hudson,  so  the  Mississippi 
was  practically  free  its  entire  length.  Then 
came  news  of  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  with 
its  terrible  losses  and  partial  defeat.  The  crippled  condition 
of  the  forces  under  Rosecrans  and  Thomas  took  from  us  the 
Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps,  while  the  draft-riots  in  New  York 
further  weakened  our  strength.  Lee  sent  Longstreet  and  his 
corps  to  Tennessee,  consequently  our  antagonistic  operations 
fell  naturally  to  the  second  rank  in  their  relative  importance. 

Preventing  the  Confederate  army  passing  through  the  lower 
gaps,  we  rested  a  few  weeks  along  the  line  of  the  Rappahan- 
nock, only  to  fall  back  on  Centerville  before  a  threatening  move- 
ment by  Lee,  finally  regaining  possession  of  the  valley  and  the 
line  of  the  Rapidan.     Meanwhile  Burnside's  escape  by  the  rais- 


1_J. 


FENCING   FOR  AN  OPENING.  289 

ing  of  the  siege  of  Knoxville,  in  Tennessee,  was  followed  by  the 
desperate  battles  at  Chattanooga,  Lookout  Mountain,  and  Mis- 
sionary Ridge.  During  the  winter  Meade  made  an  effort  to 
get  a  foot-hold  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  Rapidan ;  but  we 
were  checked  by  the  intense  cold  at  Mine  Run,  so  fell  back  to 
Culpepper  to  await  in  winter  camp  our  spring  campaign  and 
the  coming  of  Grant,  the  new  lieutenant-general. 

The  frost  and  snow  had  disappeared,  the  grass  in  the  fields 
was  again  green,  and  the  buds  on  the  trees  were  beginning  to 
burst,  when  signs  of  preparation  for  a  movement  multiplied. 
Besides  the  drafts  of  recruits,  and  the  convalescents  from  the 
hospitals,  a  large  number  <of  new  regiments  from  the  Washing- 
ton forts  made  their  appearance.  General  Grant  came  and 
re-organized  the  army.  By  the  end  of  April,  1864,  the  several 
corps  gathered  near  Culpepper;  and  a  few  days  after  I  was 
again  on  my  favorite  duty,  in  command  of  a  picket-post  holding 
a  ford  on  the  Rapidan  River,  being  now  a  captain. 

Though  the  nights  were  still  quite  cool,  I  enjoyed  the  change 
from  hut-life  ;  for  there  was  a  feeling  of  exhilaration  at  being 
once  more  on  active  duty  in  the  extreme  front.  We  found  the 
enemy  strongly  posted  along  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  but 
as  yet  there  had  been  very  little  firing  to  harass  the  sentinels. 
Standing  on  the  bank  at  the  edge  of  the  road  that  led  to  the 
ford,  late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day,  I  noticed  a  Con- 
federate officer  lying  on  the  grass  on  the  other  side,  coolly 
taking  a  survey  of  the  river  and  our  line.  He  apparently 
feared  no  danger  from  our  muskets,  owing  to  the  quasi  peace 
that  had  prevailed  so  far ;  but  I  expected  every  moment  to  hear 
the  report  of  a  gun,  knowing  that  my  men  were  easily  excited. 

The  officer  was  quite  young,  and  it  seemed  foolhardy  for  him 
thus  to  expose  himself.  A  chance  shot  by  some  indiscreet 
sentry  would  set  the  whole  line  of  pickets  in  a  blaze ;  and,  as 
my  orders  were  to  remain  quiet  unless  a  movement  took  place, 
I  determined  to  warn  the  reckless  and  exposed  officer. 

Stepping  out  from  under  the  trees,  I  lifted  my  cap  as  a  friend- 


290  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

ly  salute,  which  was  promptly  answered  by  the  Confederate  as 
he  hastily  leaped  to  his  feet. 

"  You  had  better  keep  under  cover,"  I  shouted,  "  unless  you 
really  want  to  be  shot." 

"  Thank  you  for  the  warning,"  he  replied.  "  I  thought  we 
were  not  fighting  just  now." 

"  No,  not  at  present.  But  you  ought  not  to  show  yourself 
so  openly.  Get  under  cover,  sir,  or  my  men  will  be  sure  to 
fire." 

"  All  right.  I've  no  desire  to  be  made  a  target  of  just 
yet." 

As  he  uttered  the  words,  the  young  officer  waved  his  hat 
courteously,  and  turned  on  his  heel.  He  had  scarcely  done  so 
when  one  of  the  men  a  few  rods  below  me  sent  a  bullet  whis- 
tling over  his  head.  Sharply  reproving  the  sentinel  for  his 
unprovoked  attack,  I  soon  quieted  the  remainder  of  the  line ; 
and  the  silent  river  continued  to  flow  between  the  armies 
undisturbed  by  any  warlike  sounds.  The  incident  was,  how- 
ever, a  pleasant  one ;  and  T  was  glad  that  the  Confederate  lieu- 
tenant had  escaped.  To  kill  him  under  such  circumstances 
seemed  like  murder ;  and  it  was  pleasant  to  know  that  by  my 
courtesy  I  had  probably  saved  several  lives,  for  scarcely  had 
the  echoes  of  the  sentinel's  musket  ceased  reverberating 
through  the  woods  than  I  saw  that  the  pickets  on  the  opposite 
bank  were  on  the  alert.  Another  indiscreet  shot,  and  we 
should  have  had  warm  Avork  on  our  hands. 

The  evening  darkened  into  night ;  and  I  was  quietly  making 
the  rounds  of  my  line  after  supper,  with  Sergeant  Malone,  as 
usual,  at  my  side,  when  we  were  both  startled  by  several  shots 
fired  rapidly  on  the  right  of  the  post.  Anxious  to  know  what 
had  happened,  I  was  soon  among  the  men,  finding  them  reload- 
ing their  pieces. 

"  Hadley,  what  was  this  firing  for  ?  "  said  I  to  the  man  nearest 
me. 

"  Well,  I  don't  exactly  know,  captain,"  he  replied :  "  Tom 


FENCING  FOR  AN  OPENING.  291 

Bowles  over  there  fired  at  something  iu  the  water,  so  I  did  the 
same." 

"  You  had  no  business  to  fire  just  because  Bowles  did,  un- 
less you  really  saw  some  one  to  fire  at,"  said  I  sharply.  ''We 
shall  have  the  enemy  blazing  away  next,  and  all  for  noth- 
ing." 

"  I  don't  think  it  will  be  about  nothing,  sir,"  said  Bowles 
who  as  yet  remained  silent.  "  I  fired  at  a  man,  or  something 
like  one ;  and  then  all  the  other  fellows  began  banging  awav 
like  a  lot  of  fools."  ^    ^        y 

Knowing  that  Bowles  was  a  cool,  cautious  soldier,  I  began 
questioning  him;  at  the  same  time  giving  directions  that  th^'ere 
must  be  no  more  firing  unless  I  ordered  it. 

"Are  you  quite  sure  it  was  a  man  you  fired  at?"  I  asked 
Bowles. 

"As  sure  as  one  can  be  in  the  dark,  sir.  You  see,  I  was 
standing  here,  quiet  enough,  not  thinking  of  any  thing  in  par- 
ticular, when  all  of  a  sudden  I  saw  something  moving  in  the 
water.  It  was  too  big  for  a  muskrat,  and  I  knew  it  wasn't  a 
cow ;  so  I  up  with  my  musket,  and  let  drive  at  it." 

"  Well,  what  happened  then  ?  " 

"Why,  nothing  as  I  could  see.  The  boys  began  making 
such  a  racket,  I  lost  sight  of  the  fellow:  so  I  reloaded  and 
waited,  knowing  you  would  come  up." 

"Maybe  the  divils  are  thryin'  to  get  across  the  river  unbe- 
knownst to  us,"  sagely  remarked  Dennis. 

•  "Oh,  nonsense!"  I  replied.  "If  it  had  been  anyone  but 
you,  Bowles,  who  began  the  firing,  I  should  be  apt  to  think 
you  had  been  half  asleep." 

"No,  captain,  I  was  wide  awake.  I  am  suie  I  saw  some- 
thing like  a  man's  head,  but  perhaps  it  was  a  log." 

"  Very  likely.  But  keep  a  sharp  lookout, "^aid  I,  turnino- 
to  go  towards  the  left  of  our  line.  "  If  any  of  you  see  or  hear 
any  thing,  wait  until  you  are  sure  what  you  are  about.  Then 
fire  if  you  must." 


292  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"An'  what  do  ye  think  it  was,  captain?"  queried  Dennis, 
as  we  retraced  our  steps. 

"  I  can  not  imagine  what  Bowles  could  have  seen.  I  hope  it 
was  not  a  man ;  though  it  is  likely,  for  the  scouts  are  always 
busy  just  before  a  move." 

"  Bedad,  it's  a  reckless  way  of  risking  yer  loife.  Shure,  it's 
death  to  be  caught.     Don't  they  always  hang  spoies  ? "' 

"  In  most  cases.     But  spies  are  necessary  in  war." 

"  Whisht !  Begorra,  I  seen  something  just  thin,"  whispered 
Dennis,  stepping  to  the  edge  of  the  bank  and  listening. 

"  Where  ?  " 

'•Right  here,  just  undher  yer  fut." 

I  knelt  down,  and,  creeping  to  the  edge,  peered  cautiously 
over  into  the  water.  I  could  not  discern  any  thing  at  first,  and 
was  beginning  to  believe  Dennis  had  simply  imagined  some- 
thing, when  he  clasped  my  hand,  whispering  excitedly,  — 

"Thafshim!-' 

I  gazed  intently  through  the  darkness,  and  saw  the  figure  of 
a  man  sitting  on  the  exposed  roots  of  a  tree,  his  legs  dangling 
idly  in  the  stream.  The  bank  was  fully  twelve  feet  high  just 
there,  and  the  swift  current  had  washed  away  the  soil  below 
so  that  the  roots  of  the  tree  projected  over  the  river.  It  was 
evident  that  the  unknown  wished  to  gain  an  entrance  through 
our  lines.  Was  he  a  deserter,  or  a  spy?  We  must  capture 
him  alive  if  possible.  But  how?  That  was  a  problem  we 
must  solve  by  cool  action. 

We  continued  to  watch  the  intruder,  who  seemed  to  be  tak- 
ing his  ease  very  unconcernedly ;  and  I  found  it  difficult  to 
keep  the  sergeant  quiet. 

All  at  once  the  man  climbed  upon  the  big  root  he  had  been 
using  as  a  seat,  and  began  edging  his  way  towards  a  spot  a  few 
feet  below,  where  a  jutting  bit  of  rock  would  give  him  a  lift 
up  the  bank.  Silently  nudging  Dennis,  I  crept  along  the  bank 
above  his  head,  the  sergeant  taking  a  position  below  the  rock. 
It  was  an  exciting  moment,  for  the  fellow  began  making  his 


FENCING  FOR  AN  OPENING. 


293 


way  up  the  bank  as  Dennis  and  I  faced  each  other.  He 
would  be  soon  at  the  top,  and  find  himself  a  prisoner.  Though 
Dennis  was  even  more  excited  than  I  was,  he  behaved  admira- 
bly.    We  were  sure  of  our  game. 

The  man's  head  appeared  over  the  edge  of  the  bank,  as  he 
silently  and  slowly  pulled  himself  up,  until  he  finally  lay  pros- 
trate between  us. 

"Don't  move,  or  you're  a  dead  man,"  I  cried  in  a  hoarse 


ARREST  OF   THE   SPY. 

voice,  as  I  seized  him  by  the  wrist,  Dennis  at  the  same  instant 
flinging  himself  bodily  on  top  of  our  prisoner. 

"All  right,"  quietly  responded  the  captive.  "I  surrender. 
Don't  shoot  me." 

Surprised  at  the  cool  audacity  of  the  man,  I  permitted  him 
to  rise,  but  keeping  a  close  hold  of  his  arm.  Dennis  called  two 
or  three  of  the  nearest  sentries,  who  were  greatly  astonished  to 
find  that  we  had  a  prisoner.  The  Confederate  quietly  sub- 
mitted to  have  his  hands  pinioned  behind  his  back  with  a 
blanket-strap,  and  we  started  for  my  bivouac  fire. 

"This  pays  us  up  for  the  scout  we  lost  on  the  ould  Rappa- 


294  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

hannock  last  summer,"  said  Dennis  to  me  as  we  were  thread- 
ing the  narrow  path  through  the  woods. 

"Yes,"  I  replied,  "if  he  isn't  a  deserter." 

"  Divil  of  a  desarter  is  he.  Shure,  an'  if  he  was  desartin' 
he'd  have  tould  us  so  long  ago." 

Dennis  was  right.  My  prisoner  was  no  deserter.  Men  like 
him  do  not  desert  their  cause  at  the  opening  of  a  campaign, 
however  hopeless  it  may  be. 

On  reaching  my  reserve,  one  of  the  men  threw  some  dry 
sticks  on  the  fire,  which,  breaking  into  a  blaze,  gave  me  an 
opportunity  to  survey  the  Confederate. 

Dressed  in  a  handsome  Virginian  uniform,  and  carrying  a 
pair  of  revolvers  in  his  belt,  the  man's  face  was  shadowed  by 
the  broad-brimmed  hat  he  wore ;  yet  there  was  an  air  of  the 
dare-devil  about  him  that  indicated  a  man  of  no  common  cour- 
age. 

"Well,  sir,  what  are  you  going  to  do  with  me?"  he  asked  in 
a  clear,  steady  voice. 

"  I  shall  keep  you  here  under  guard  until  morning,  and  then 
send  you  to  headquarters,"  was  my  reply. 

"  Very  well ;  but  surely  you  don't  expect  me  to  sleep  with 
my  hands  tied  behind  my  back." 

As  the  man  spoke,  Dennis  Malone  leaned  forward,  and  peered 
inquisitively  into  the  scout's  face. 

"  Captain  darlint !  don't  ye  see  who  he  is  ?  "  exclaimed  the 
sergeant  excitedly. 

"  Who  do  you  mean  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Why,  the  prisoner  :  who  else  ?  " 

"  No,  I  don't:  do  you  ?  " 

"  Shure,  an'  I  do ;  and  so  do  you,  Master  Frank.  It's  Bob 
Haines,  the  missin'  sergeant,  an'  nobody  else." 

"  Sergeant  Haines  !  "  said  I  incredulously,  for  I  remembered 
the  name  very  well. 

"  Halloa,  Dennis  !  so  you  are  a  sergeant  now,  eh  ?  I  congratu- 
late you.  —  Well,  captain,  as  you  have  recognized  me  at  last, 


FENCING   FOR  AN  OPENING.  295 

siippose  you  undo  this  infernal  strap ; "  and  Haines  —  for  it 
was  indeed  he  — began  laughing. 

"  How  is  this,  Haines  ?  Why  are  you  playing  Confederate  ?  " 
I  asked. 

"  Oh !  I'm  a  scout  now,  —  on  the  Federal  side  of  course,  — 
and  I  was  trying  to  slip  through  the  lines  when  you  nabbed 
me.     Upon  my  word,  captain,  you  did  it  nicely." 

"  Untie  his  hands,  Dennis :  there's  no  further  need  of  that 
precaution.  —  You  must  stay  here,  though,  Haines,  until  day- 
light," said  I,  giving  the  fire  a  kick  to  make  it  burn  brighter. 

"  Of  course.  I  expect  to,  and  you  may  as  well  put  a  guard 
over  me,"  he  replied  cheerfully.  "  But  I  wish  you  would  give 
me  something  to  eat :  I'm  awfully  hungry." 

Dennis  soon  provided  the  necessary  food ;  and,  as  Haines  ate 
his  supper  with  the  zest  born  of  long  fasting,  I  lay  before  the 
fire  conjecturing  how  he  came  to  be  a  scout.  I  remembered  that 
he  had  disappeared  from  the  regiment  while  we  were  maneu- 
vering at  Aldie  Gap,  a  few  days  after  I  had  rejoined  the  army 
from  our  abandoned  picket-line.  I  also  recalled  the  remarkable 
indifference  manifested  by  both  General  Fletcher  and  Colonel 
Lloyd  at  his  mysterious  absence.  I  had  neither  seen  nor  heard 
of  him  since,  and  in  fact  had  almost  forgotten  him. 

Haines,  having  satisfied  his  appetite,  produced  a  corn-cob 
pipe,  and  joined  me  in  a  quiet  smoke.  The  men  had  all  with- 
drawn from  our  fire  to  their  own,  only  Dennis  being  near 
us. 

"  Well,  Haines,  this  is  a  singular  meeting,"  said  I  at  length. 

"  Isn't  it  ?  "  replied  the  sergeant  scout.  "  I  didn't  know  my 
old  corps  had  moved  up  from  the  railroad  line.  When  did 
you  come  up  to  the  river  ?  " 

"Only  three  days  ago.  The  whole  army  is  concentrating 
for  a  move,"  was  my  answer. 

"  So  !     I'm  glad  I've  got  here  in  time." 

"  Shure,  an'  it  must  liev  bin  ticklish  work  to  get  through  the 
Ribs'  lines,"  said  Dennis. 


296  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Yes,  incleetl  I  though  I  managed  it  easy  enough  after  all," 
replied  the  scout. 

"  How  did  you  do  it  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Well,  you  see,  I  walked  down  to  the  river  this  afternoon, 
and  began  asking  questions  of  the  Reb  pickets,  at  the  same 
time  keeping  my  eyes  oiDcn.  I  soon  discovered  that  there  was 
a  gap  in  their  line,  owing  to  a  small  creek  that  enters  the 
Rapidan  half  a  mile  above ;  and  by  making  a  circuit  through  the 
woods,  I  struck  the  river  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek.  The  cur- 
rent was  pretty  swift,  so  I  just  launched  out  and  swam  silently 
down  stream." 

"  Some  of  our  men  fired  at  you,"  I  remarked.  "It's  a  won- 
der you  were  not  hit." 

"  Not  at  all.  Only  one  of  the  men  saw  me ;  and,  when  I 
heard  him  cock  his  rifle,  I  just  dove  under  the  bank,  and  was 
soon  under  cover." 

"  You  ran  a  regular  gauntlet,  in  fact  ?  " 

"  Just  so.  The  only  danger  was,  that  the  fellows  on  the 
other  side  might  see  me  and  fire  also." 

"  You  were  confoundedly  self-possessed,  Haines,  when  we 
laid  hands  on  you,"  said  I. 

"Why  not?"  replied  the  scout  with  a  low  laugh.  "I  could 
scarcely  expect  to  get  through  our  lines  unnoticed.  All  I  was 
afraid  of  was,  that  you  might  use  your  revolver,  —  shoot  first 
and  ask  questions  afterwards,  you  know.  It  was  only  neces- 
sary to  surrender  quietly  to  be  safe." 

"  Suppose  we  had  not  recognized  you :  what  would  you  have 
done  ?  " 

"  Simply  played  my  part  as  a  Confederate,  and  asked  to  be 
sent  to  headquarters  under  guard.  Once  with  the  general,  I 
was  all  right."     And  Haines  re-filled  his  jiipe. 

"  Upon  my  word,  Haines,  you  are  a  cool  hand ! "  said  I 
admiringl}-. 

"  One  needs  to  be  cool  in  my  business.  A  scout  needs  to 
have  his  wits  about  him." 


FENCING   FOR  AN   OPENING.  297 

"How  came  you  to  turn  scout?"  I  asked,  my  curiosity  now 
fully  aroused. 

"  It  was  a  very  simple  matter,  and  all  an  accident.  I  don't 
mind  telling  you  and  Dennis  the  story,  if  you  care  to  hear  it." 

"Be  jabers,  we're  just  dyin'  to  hear  it!"  exclaimed  the 
sergeant. 

"  Well,  here  goes.     But  it's  a  pretty  long  yarn." 

And  Haines  at  once  proceeded  to  tell  his  story,  which  must 
serve  as  another  chapter. 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 


THE   SCOUT  S    STORY. 


"  Away,  then,  —  work  with  boldness  and  with  speed, 
Ou  greatest  actions  greatest  dangers  feed." 

IRST  you  must  remember  how  the  old  Fifth 

.     Corps  started  for  Gettysburg,  and  our  brigade 

went  through  Aldie  Gap  into  the  Loudon  Val- 

}  ley   to   support   Pleasonton's    cavalry   during 

Al  1.  \''    t^^^ir  skirmish  with  Stuart's  troopers.     I  need 

^^N^O^^  not   remind  you   of   the    dance    they  led  us. 

3'^\ii^\»'.    What  I  have  to  tell  happened  after  that. 

The  brigade  had  gone  into  bivouac  on  the 
slope  of  the  hills ;  and  as  the  sun  began  to  sink 
-^.''_^5^  Sf       behind  the  western  range  of  the  Blue  Ridge, 
^~  ""'^  ■'"'         on  the  other  side  of  the  valley,  I  congratulated 
myself  on  the  prospect  of  a  quiet  night's  rest, 
after  the   hard  day's  service  we  had  passed  through.     I  was 
busily  engaged  in  preparing  supper,  when  all  my  expectations 
disappeared  by  a  summons  for  picket-duty.      Excessively  an- 
noyed, I  slung  my  knapsack  and  rifle  over  my  shoulder,  and  in 
a  few  minutes  after  was  moving  with  the  detail  into  the  valley 
toward  the  outposts. 

When  I  bade  my  comrades  the  usual  careless  farewell  of  a 
soldier,  I  little  anticipated  the  adventure  in  store  for  me ;  and 
as  my  old  friend  and  tent-mate,  Tom  Burroughs,  looked  up 
from  his  hardtack  and  coffee,  grumbling  in  no  amiable  mood 
at  my  departure,  neither  he  nor  I  imagined  that  it  was  our  last 
sight  of  each  other  on  earth.     Two^'ears  of  constant  service, 


THE  SCOUT'S  STOBY.  299 

and  plenty  of  liard  knocks  successfully  encountered  together, 
had  given  Tom  and  me  confidence  in  the  future ;  and  we  had 
already  exchanged  many  a  thought  on  the  day  our  regiment 
would  return  home.  Tom,  however,  was  never  to  see  home 
again,  poor  fellow !  for  he  met  a  soldier's  death  in  the  cliarge 
you  fellows  made  so  gallantly  at  Gettysburg,  before  the  Little 
Round  Top. 

The  picket  billets  had  all  been  told  off  as  the  sun  went  down 
in  a  blaze  of  color ;  and  I  was  placed  in  command  of  a  small 
picket-post  towards  the  left  of  our  line,  my  position  lying  di- 
rectly across  an  old  by-road  which  skirted  the  mountain  range 
at  our  back,  and  led  to  the  village  beyond.  The  evening  was 
clear  and  warm ;  and  as  I  passed  along  my  chain  of  sentinels, 
and  gave  the  countersign,  I  found  the  scene  a  very  lovely  and 
refreshing  one,  making  me  lose  my  regret  at  leaving  camp. 
The  birds  were  flitting  in  the  trees  above  my  head,  seeking 
their  nests  ;  while  the  soft  and  busy  hum  of  the  summer  insects 
made  the  stillness  more  marked  by  the  contrast.  The  mas- 
sive outlines  of  the  mountains  were  fast  becoming  lost  in  the 
shades  of  night ;  and  I  almost  forgot  that  I  trod  the  soil  of 
Virginia,  so  like  did  the  scene  appear  to  that  of  my  own 
Northern  home. 

Cautioning  my  men  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  for  any  move- 
ment on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  and,  above  all,  not  permit  any 
lurking  guerilla  to  assail  them,  I  retraced  my  steps  to  the  ren- 
dezvous of  my  guard,  finding  their  fire  deftly  hidden  by  a  huge 
bowlder. 

The  evening  deepened  into  night,  and  the  second  relief  of 
sentries  had  been  duly  posted,  when  I  suddenly  heard  the  one 
stationed  in  the  road  give  a  hurried  challenge.  No  response 
was  made  to  his  summons,  however ;  and  I  was  settling  myself 
in  my  snug  corner  once  more  when  the  same  sentry  uttered 
another  and  more  excited  call  of  "  Who  comes  there  ?  " 

Fearing  that  he  might  use  his  rifle  without  due  provocation, 
and  so  needlessly  alarm  the  entire  line,  I  stepped  down  to  his 


800  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

post  to  reconnoiter ;  finding  Weaver,  the  sentinel,  standing  in 
the  middle  of  the  wagon-track,  on  the  alert,  and  peering  in- 
tently into  the  shrubber}-  which  skirted  either  side  of  the  road. 

Uttering  a  low  word  or  two  to  apprise  him  of  my  coming,  I 
approached,  and  asked  what  had  alarmed  him. 

"  I  don't  know  exactly,  sergeant,"  said  he ;  "  but  I'll  swear 
that  I  saw  a  man  run  across  the  road  just  now,  down  by  that 
pine-tree." 

"  You  challenged  twice,  Joe,"  I  remarked.  "  What  did  you 
see  the  first  time  ?  " 

"  Nothing ;  but  I  heard  a  twig  crack  a  moment  before,  and  I 
thought  I  saw  the  tree  move  a  little." 

I  glanced  down  the  road  as  he  spoke,  but  could  discern  noth- 
ing, despite  the  moonlight;  and,  supposing  it  was  a  squirrel 
that  had  caused  the  alarm,  I  uttered  my  thoughts  aloud. 

"  I  tell  you,  sergeant,  it  was  a  man,  if  any  thing,"  exclaimed 
Weaver  doggedly:  "I  guess  I  know  a  man  from  a  squirrel 
when  I  see  one." 

"  Very  likely,"  I  replied  soothingly.  "  Just  you  stand  here 
on  the  lookout  while  I  go  down  the  road  a  bit." 

Gently  drawing  back  the  hammer  of  my  rifle,  ready  for  use, 
I  crept  cautiously  down  the  road  until  I  reached  the  tree,  but, 
as  I  expected,  discovered  nothing.  With  a  quiet  laugh  at  Joe 
and  his  fears,  I  cautioned  him  against  any  more  needless 
alarms,  and  passed  through  the  line  again.  I  had  proceeded 
scarcely  a  dozen  paces,  however,  when  I  distinctly  saw  the 
crouching  form  of  a  man  hurry  across  the  road  a  few  rods 
below. 

The  thought  flashed  upon  me  in  an  instant,  that  this  must 
be  Joe's  friend,  and  up  to  no  good,  that  was  evident.  Ashamed 
of  my  sneer  at  the  sentinel's  watchfulness,  I  ran  towards  the 
spot  where  the  intruder  had  disappeared  in  the  bushes.  But  I 
was  too  late,  for  no  trace  whatever  could  I  find  of  the  skulker. 
Indeed,  I  began  to  doubt  my  own  sense  of  sight,  so  strange  did 
the  whole  affair  appear.     Determined,  however,  to  sift  the  mat- 


TUE  SCOUT'S   STORY.  301 

ter  thoroughly,  I  searched  in  every  direction,  yet  could  find 
nothing  that  would  give  me  a  clew  to  the  mystery. 

Chagrined  at  my  failure,  but  fully  satisfied  that  some  mis- 
chief was  afoot,  I  returned  to  Weaver,  and  told  him  what  had 
happened. 

Joe  at  first  seemed  only  relieved  to  learn  that  he  had  'not 
been  mistaken  in  his  challenge,  but  soon  joined  in  my  annoy- 
ance at  our  having  been  so  cleverly  outwitted.  We  fully 
agreed  that  the  fellow  was  a  spy,  and  that  he  had  managed  to 
slip  past  Joe  while  the  latter  was  watching  my  movements 
down  the  road  in  front. 

As  Weaver  had  seen  no  more  men,  I  left  him  with  a  caution 
to  be  silent  regarding  the  occurrence,  and  at  once  made  a  tour 
of  my  line  ;  finding  all  of  the  men  very  quiet  and  unconcerned, 
none  of  them  dreaming  that  our  chain  of  sentries  had  actually 
been  penetrated  in  so  bold  a  manner.  In  due  time,  and  in  no 
amiable  mood,  I  reported  the  facts  to  the  commissioned  officer 
in  command  of  the  brigade  pickets  ;  and  he  immediately  notified 
headquarters,  at  the  same  time  sending  me  back  to  my  guard 
with  a  sharp  reprimand  for  what  he  was  pleased  to  term  my 
negligence. 

The  remainder  of  the  night  was  passing  off  very  quietly,  and 
I  was  nodding  over  the  fire  after  midnight,  when  an  order 
came  for  me  to  report  forthwith  at  our  brigade  headquarters, 
another  sergeant  relieving  me  of  my  command.  Fully  expect- 
ing a  sound  lecture  from  General  Fletcher,  I  stumbled  off  in 
the  dark  to  report  as  ordered.  Upon  m)^  arrival  I  was  at  once 
ushered  into  the  general's  tent ;  where,  instead  of  our  brigadier, 
1  found  myself  confronted  by  a  tall  and  dashing  fellow,  fully 
equipped  in  a  Confederate  lieutenant's  uniform. 

"Are  you  the  sergeant  who  so  nearly  captured  me  to-night 
on  the  picket-line  ?  "  said  the  stranger  in  a  pleasant  voice. 

"I  suppose  I  am,"  I  replied,  "if  you  are  the  man  who  crossed 
my  line  of  sentries  by  the  old  dirt-road.  But  how  under  the 
sun  did  you  come  here  ?  " 


S02  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"•  Oh !  that  was  easy  enough,  aftei-  I  succeeded  in  eluding 
you.  As  for  my  being  here,  I  need  only  say  I  am  a  Federal 
scout." 

At  this  moment  General  Fletcher  entered  the  tent  in  a  hur- 
ried manner,  and  said,  — 

"  Sergeant  Haines,  I  am  very  glad  that  j^ou  did  not  create 
any  alarm  over  the  entrance  of  our  friend,  the  scout  here,  into 
our  lines;  for  it  so  liappens  he  does  not  wish  his  presence 
known,  as  we  are  on  the  eve  of  a  general  movement.  My 
object  in  sending  for  you  is  to  make  an  arrangement  by  which 
he  may  proceed  to  General  Hooker's  headquarters.  You  and 
he  must  change  clothes." 

"  General ! "  I  exclaimed,  quite  taken  aback  by  the  novel 
proposition. 

"  You  must,  I  tell  you ;  and  not  only  must  you  take  his  uni- 
form, but  his  character  also,  and  contrive  to  slip  through  our 
lines  to-night  on  a  special  scout." 

"But,  general,  you  forget  that  I  am  not  prepared,  nor  fitted 
by  experience,  for  such  hazardous  duty.  I  must  really  decline 
the  latter  part  of  your  programme." 

"  Of  course  I  know  very  well  I  can  not  compel  you  to  go, 
sergeant,"  replied  General  Fletcher ;  "  but  Fm  sure  you  won't 
refuse  when  I  explain  the  matter  a  little." 

"Tell  him  the  whole  story,  general,"  said  the  unknown:  "I 
can  see  that  he'll  go,  after  all." 

"The  fact  is,  Haines,"  ]mrsued  the  brigadier,  "our  friend 
here,  who  is  known  inside  the  Confederate  lines  as  Lieutenant 
Fred  Watson,  is  in  possession  of  very  important  information 
which  must  be  transmitted  to  General  Hooker  at  once.  He 
managed  to  come  this  way  from  General  Lee's  headquarters, 
while  carrying  orders  to  General  Ewell,  who  commands  the 
enemy's  advance ;  and  it  is  imperative  that  these  orders  be 
delivered  in  due  time,  else  Watson's  future  plans  for  usefulness 
are  entirely  upset." 

"  But,"  said  I,  "  why  can't  his  information  be  sent  to  General 


THE  SCOUT'S  STORY.  bU3 

Hooker  by  some  one  else,  and  he  take  the  orders  to  General 
Ewell  himself?  I  will  undertake  to  get  him  through  the  picket- 
line  again  without  any  trouble." 

"  No,  no  !  "  exclaimed  Watson  :  "  that  won't  do  at  all,  for  I 
have  to  sketch  routes  on  a  map  at  headquarters.  You  don't 
suppose  I'm  fool  enough  to  carry  plans  and  marked  maps  on 
my  person,  do  you?" 

"Come  now,  sergeant,  volunteer  like  a  man,  and  make  no 
more  bother,"  said  the  brigadier,  rather  testily  at  my  stubborn- 
ness. 

"  Well,  I  suppose  I  must  do  as  you  say,  sir,  now  that  I 
understand  the  case  so  clearly,"  I  reluctantly  replied.  "  But 
I  don't  see  how  I  am  to  overtake  General  Ewell  without  a 
mount." 

"  Oh  !  that's  easily  managed,"  said  the  scout  eagerly,  "  if  you 
only  make  haste  and  get  through  the  lines  before  daybreak. 
Go  a  hundred  yards  or  so  down  the  road  beyond  your  picket- 
line,  where  the  sentinel  challenged  me,  and  you  will  find  my 
horse  there  all  ready  for  you." 

Making  no  further  objection,  I  at  once  began  to  strip ;  and 
soon  found  myself  metamorphosed  into  a  Confederate  officer 
of  the  most  approved  type,  the  scout's  uniform  fortunately 
proving  a  decided  fit.  Watson  then  handed  me  his  Confeder- 
ate passes,  a  pair  of  revolvers  in  excellent  order,  and  a  small 
packet  of  soft  tissue-paper  wrapped  in  a  sheet  of  tinfoil  such  as 
they  put  tobacco  in.  This  packet  contained  the  orders  and 
secret  instructions  for  General  Ewell  from  General  Lee,  the 
text  of  which  formed  a  part  of  Watson's  information. 

While  the  scout  and  I  were  exchanging  uniforms,  he  in- 
formed me  that  I  would  have  no  difficulty  in  personating  him, 
as  he  was  not  known  except  at  the  general  headquarters  of  the 
Confederate  army ;  and  he  took  occasion  to  give  me  a  few 
hurried  hints  as  to  my  conduct  while  inside  the  enemy's  lines. 
Watson  confessed,  however,  that  circumstances  and  the  exer- 
cise of  my  own  wits  would  be  the  best  guide  ;  so  he  only  in- 


304  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

sisted  that  I  should,  after  delivering  the  packet  to  General 
Ewell,  leave  him  as  soon  as  possible,  and  return  to  our  own 
army,  in  order  that  he  himself  might  go  again  on  scout  duty. 

Bidding  the  general  and  the  scout  a  hasty  farewell,  I  slipped 
out  of  the  tent,  and  plunged  into  the  bush  near  by.  I  had 
looked  at  my  watch  while  stowing  away  a  big  roll  of  Confed- 
erate scrip  given  me  by  Watson,  and  noticed  that  it  was  after 
the  hour  for  my  second  relief  to  go  on  post  again.  I  would 
therefore  find  Weaver  on  duty ;  and,  as  I  made  my  way  toward 
the  road,  I  determined  to  take  him  into  my  confidence,  and  so 
pass  through  the  picket-line. 

Cautiously  creeping  past  my  reserve  guard,  who  were  fortu- 
nately nearly  all  asleep,  I  managed  to  gain  Weaver's  post  with- 
out much  difficulty.  Joe  was  standing  in  the  road,  quietly 
leaning  on  his  musket,  no  doubt  thinking  of  the  spy  and  my 
supposed  disgrace.  A  word  from  me  placed  him  on  the  alert ; 
and,  taking  care  not  to  be  seen  by  the  neighboring  sentinels,  I 
hurriedly  told  Joe  my  errand  and  orders. 

Satisfying  himself  of  my  identity.  Weaver  permitted  me  to 
pass,  with  a  low  whistle  of  surprise,  faithfully  promising  to 
keep  my  secret ;  being  much  amused,  as  I  afterward  learned,  at 
the  idle  rumors  in  circulation  tlie  next  day,  explanatory  of  my 
disappearance. 

Bidding  Joe  good-night,  I  walked  rapidly  down  the  road 
beyond  the  pine-tree,  and  was  gratified  to  find  Watson's  horse 
all  right,  just  as  he  had  left  it ;  so  sprang  nimbly  into  the  sad- 
dle, and  cantered  off.  I  had  already  made  up  my  mind  as  to 
my  route,  and  intended  making  a  wide  detour  until  I  could 
with  safety  strike  into  the  main  road  for  Snicker's  Gap. 

It  was  then  almost  daylight,  and  I  had  made  good  progress 
across  the  valley  before  the  sun  began  to  redden  the  horizon. 
As  my  horse  cantered  gayly  forward,  my  spirits  rose  with  the 
novelty  of  the  occasion ;  and  I  enjoyed  the  sudden  change  in 
my  fortunes  all  the  more  because  it  came  unexpected.  I  knew 
that  my  disguise  was  perfect;  and  I  felt  quite  proud  of  my 


THE  SCOUT'S   STOEY. 


305 


new  sleeve-embroidered  jacket,  decorated  as  it  was  with  a  set 
of  handsome  Virginia  State  buttons,  worth  a  mint  of  money  in 
Confederate  currency :  I  naturally  had,  therefore,  no  great  fears 
as  to  my  ultimate  success.  Having  ridden  across  the  valley 
without  hindrance,  I  was  congratulating  myself  on  an  easy 
entrance  into  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  when  my  ear  caught  the 
sound  of  horses'  hoofs.  Failing  to  discover  any  one  either 
ahead  or  behind  me  on  the  road,  and  noticing  a  cross-road  a 
few  rods  farther  on,  I  urged  my  horse  forward  to  reconnoiter. 

Scarcely  had  I  reached  this  cross-road,  than  a  wild  halloo  on 
my  right  showed  me  I  had  encountered  a  Federal  cavalry 
patrol.     As   it 

was  no  part  of  ,        ■ ; 

my  plan  to  be 
captured  by 
our  own  side, 
I  made  a 
choice    of    ne-  i 

cessity,  and 
dashed  madly 
up  the  road 
towards  the 
mountains  in 
order  to  es- 
cape. When 
the  patrol 
came  thunder- 
ing along  after  me  in  hopes  of  securing  a  prisoner,  I  found  my 
mare  equal  to  the  emergency;  for  she  rapidly  gained  ground 
in  the  race.  This  fact  only  added  to  my  danger,  however:  for 
every  few  seconds  a  bullet  came  whistling  past  my  ear,  my  pur- 
suers making  a  regular  target  of  me ;  though  their  fusillade 
fortunately  proved  ineffectual,  owing  to  the  necessary  uneven- 
ness  of  their  aim. 

Expecting  each  moment  to  be  hit,  I  galloped  doggedly  on, 


-  ^  ^vv 


THE   CHASE. 


306  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

hoping  that  I  might  be  lucky  enough  to  reach  some  Confeder- 
ate outpost  before  either  myself  or  my  horse  was  wounded. 
The  scouting-party  at  my  heels  evidently  divined  my  intention, 
ere  we  had  galloped  half  a  mile ;  for  I  could  see  they  were 
already  repenting  of  their  rashness.  It  only  needed,  therefore, 
the  appearance  of  a  few  Confederate  cavalrymen  at  a  sudden 
turn  in  the  road,  to  rid  me  of  my  troublesome  pursuers.  The 
chase,  however,  proved  of  decided  service  ;  for  as  I  checked  my 
mare,  and  halted  near  the  vidette,  I  was  not  suspected,  the  cor- 
poral in  command  merely  saying,  — 

"  Well,  lieutenant,  you  had  a  narrow  escape  from  going 
North  the  wrong  way,  hadn't  you  ? "' 

"Yes,  sir:  it  was  indeed  a  close  shave,"  I  replied,  "though  I 
don't  think  I  should  ever  have  seen  a?  Northern  prison  if  they 
had  caught  me." 

"  Why  not  ?  "  exclaimed  two  or  three  voices. 

"Well,  you  see,  gentlemen,  I've  ridden  hard  all  night  from 
General  Lee's  headquarters ;  and  I  have  papers  on  my  person 
that  might  make  the  Yanks  believe  I  was  something  like  a 
scout." 

"  Oh  I  that's  it,  is  it?"  said  the  corporal.  "Well,  I'm  glad 
we  happened  so  close  when  you  rode  up.  I  suppose  3'ou  want 
to  go  to  the  rear." 

"  By  all  means  ;  and  I  would  thank  you  to  send  an  escort 
with  me  to  the  nearest  general  officer,  for  my  business  is  press- 
ing." 

"  All  right,  sir :  we  won't  keep  you.  —  Here,  Graves,  you  go 
with  the  lieutenant,"  added  the  corporal,  nodding  to  the  nearest 
trooper. 

With  a  brief  salute  to  the  corporal,  I  followed  my  guide  up 
the  rapidly  rising  road ;  for  we  were  then  entering  the  gorge  of 
the  mountains  leading  into  the  Gap. 

Like  most  soldiers.  Graves  proved  talkative,  —  a  trait  I. 
encouraged,  for  I  wished  to  post  myself  a  little  before  I  was 
brought  in  contact  with  the  general,  whoever  he  might  be. 


THE  SCOUT'S   STOIiY.  307 

"Flow  came  you  outside  our  liness  sir?"  asked  Graves  as  he 
hitched  his  saber-belt  into  an  easier  position. 

"  I  took  the  shortest  cut  through  the  Loudon,  not  knowing 
the  Yanks  had  got  into  it.  I  only  discovered  the  fact  by  the 
dead  horses  lying  in  the  roads  below." 

"  You  were  mighty  lucky  to  run  across  us  as  you  did,"  said 
Graves.  "It's  a  wonder  you  didn't  fall  in  with  any  more 
Yanks:  the  valley  is  full  of  them." 

"How  came  you  fellows  to  fall  back  after  Avhipping  the 
Yanks,  as  you  evidently  did  ?  "  I  inquired,  affecting  ignorance 
of  the  true  state  of  affairs. 

"  We  fell  back  to  encourage  them  to  come  down  again  to- 
day," replied  Graves,  evidently  gratified  at  my  words.  "  We 
thrashed  them  pretty  bad  yesterday,  that's  a  fact ;  though  their 
cursed  infantry  bothered  us  a  good  deal." 

Much  amused  at  the  fellow's  conceit,  I  continued  the  conver- 
sation ;  ascertaining  that  General  Fitz  Hugh  Lee's  brigade  of 
cavalry  held  the  Gap,  and  that  I  was  being  taken  to  his  head- 
quarters. Graves  also  informed  me  that  General  Ewell  had 
already  crossed  the  Potomac  ;  and  Longstreet's  corps  had  passed 
through  Winchester  the  day  before,  and  would  probably  cross 
the  river  before  morning  of  the  following  day.  General  Hill 
had  relieved  General  Longstreet,  and  was  now  supporting  the 
operations  of  the  Confederate  cavalry  under  Stuart  in  holding 
the  Gaps.  The  Confederates  evidently  anticipated  a  sharp  en- 
gagement that  day ,  a  scout  having  reported  an  entire  Federal 
corps  in  motion  through  Aldie  Gap,  —  a  pure  fiction  on  his  part, 
as  I  had  good  reason  to  know. 

After  proceeding  a  mile  up  the  Gap,  my  guide  suddenly  aban  • 
doned  the  road,  and  escorted  me  to  a  clump  of  trees  on  the 
right,  where  I  found  the  Confederate  brigadier  at  breakfast,  — 
a  fact  that  told  me  he  anticipated  an  early  move. 

"What's  this?"  queried  the  general  as  he  turned  sharply 
round  at  the  sound  of  our  approach. 

"I  am  the  bearer  of  dispatches  from  General  Lee  to  Lieu- 


308 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


tenant-General  Ewell,  sir,"  said  I,  dismounting,  and  showing 
him  my  pass.  "  I  am  desirous  of  proceeding  as  far  as  Win- 
chester immediatel}'." 

The  brigadier  glanced  at  the  pass,  and,  finding  it  genuine, 
replied,  "  Very  well,  sir,  you  can  go ;  though  I  don't  see  how 
3^ou  are  to  reach  General  Ewell  on  that  beast." 

"I  have  an  order  for  a  fresh  horse  for  use  at  Winchester,  sir, 
unless  I  can  get  one  nearer  at  hand,"  said  I  with  the  air  of  a 

man    accus- 
.,        ■•  tomed  to  such 

favors. 

"I  would 
give  you  a 
mount,  lieu- 
tenant, with 
pleasure," 
said  the  gen- 
eral, noticing 
my  hint; 
"but  you  are 
better  off  now 
than  t  w  o  - 
thirds  of  my 
men.  You 
will  have  to 
wait  for  another  horse  until  you  reach  Winchester." 

"  Much  obliged  to  you,  sir,  all  the  same.  I  will  do  my  best. 
I  have  the  honor  to  bid  you  good-day,  general." 

"  Perhaps  you  would  like  some  breakfast  before  proceeding," 
said  one  of  the  staff-officers  courteously. 

"  I  am  much  obliged  to  you,"  I  replied ;  "  but  I  must  decline 
any  thing  more  than  a  cup  of  coffee,  if  you  have  such  a  luxury 
at  hand." 

"Fortunately  we  can  do  that  much  for  you.  But  liow  came 
you  to  ride  through  the  Loudon  Valley  ?     You  ran  great  risk 


BEFORE  THE   CONFEDERATE   GENERAL. 


THE  SCOUT'S   STORV.  309 

of  capture,"  he  continued  as  a  contraband  produced  some  cof- 
fee and  a  plate  of  corn-cakes. 

"  You  may  well  say  that,  for  I  was  hotly  pursued  under  the 
foot-hills  just  now.  My  reason  for  striking  through  the  Lou- 
don was,  that  I  intended  crossing  the  Potomac  below  Harper's 
Ferry;  but  your  unexpected  maneuvers  yesterday  prevented 
my  doing  so." 

"  We  had  to  fight  to  keep  Hooker  from  moving  too  rapidly," 
replied  the  aide ;  "  but  the  engagement  had  no  important 
result." 

"Well,"  remarked  the  general,  "we  are  likely  to  have  hot 
work  to-day,  for  one  of  my  scouts  reports  their  infantry  in  mo- 
tion through  the  Aldie  Gap." 

"He  is  mistaken,"  I  said  in  a  confident  tone;  "for  I  ascer- 
tained last  night  from  a  citizen,  that  the  main  force  of  the 
Yanks  were  still  in  camp  on  the  other  side." 

"  Is  that  so  ?  "  exclaimed  the  brigadier :  "  I  hope  it  is,  upon 
my  soul,  for  we  are  not  prepared  for  a  decided  stand." 

"  You  forget,  general,  that  our  entire  army  is  now  past  Port 
Royal,"  said  I,  sipping  my  coffee  with  the  air  of  a  man  confi- 
dent of  his  information. 

"  I'm  glad  to  hear  you  say  so,  lieutenant,  for  it  proves  that 
this  infernal  race  will  soon  be  over,"  said  the  general. 

"  I  consider  it  over  now,  in  fact,"  said  I,  springing  into  my 
saddle  again.  "  I  must  make  haste  and  overtake  tlie  advance. 
So  good-day,  gentlemen." 

My  progress  tln-ough  Snicker's  Gap  was  an  uneventful  one, 
and  I  fully  enjoyed  the  ride  over  the  mountains.  By  eight 
o'clock  I  had  commenced  the  descent  into  the  Valle}^  of  the 
Shenandoah ;  and,  as  I  struck  the  open  road,  my  eye  was  insen- 
sibly attracted  by  the  novelty  of  the  scene  spread  out  at  my 
feet.  Every  thing  was  in  seeming  confusion.  The  main  roads 
leading  to  the  River  Potomac  were  marked  by  clouds  of  dust, 
evidence  of  the  movements  of  large  bodies  of  troops  and  trains. 
The  plain  to  the  right  was  dark  with  moving  masses  of  troops, 


310  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

and  my  pulse  quickened  with  the  thought  tliat  I  was  now  a 
spy  inside  the  lines  of  the  enemy. 

When  fairly  across  the  Shenandoah  River,  I  gave  my  steed 
the  rein,  and  by  noon  was  cantering  over  the  neglected  pave- 
ments of  Winchester.  I  found  the  town  full  of  troops  and 
wagon-trains ;  and  with  some  difficulty  wended  my  way  to  the 
railroad-depot,  which  I  learned  was  the  quartermaster's  store- 
house. On  my  arrival,  I  presented  my  order  for  a  fresh  horse 
to  the  officer  on  duty.  He  glanced  at  the  document,  and  with 
an  oath  threw  it  contemptuously  aside,  saying  as  he  did  so,  — 

"Beg  your  pardon,  lieutenant,  for  my  apparent  rudeness. 
But  those  people  at  general  headquarters  seem  to  think  we  can 
furnish  any  thing.  Here  you  bring  an  order  for  a  horse,  and  I 
haven't  one  even  for  myself." 

"  Oh !  never  mind,  quartermaster ;  though  I  am  sorry  I  can 
not  get  a  fresh  horse,  for  I  am  in  urgent  need  of  haste.  I'll  do 
the  best  I  can,  if  you  will  give  me  some  short  forage  to  take 
with  me." 

"  Come,  now,  that's  reasonable  talk.  We  have,  luckily,  a  lot 
of  oats  on  hand  just  now.  One  of  General  Swell's  trains  came 
in  this  morning  from  Maryland,  with  all  sorts  of  stuff." 

In  such  good-humor  did  the  quartermaster  become,  in  conse- 
quence of  my  unaccustomed  complaisance,  that  he  invited  me 
to  dinner  at  a  house  hard  bj',  kindly  permitting  me  to  pay 
sixty-five  dollars  for  it  in  Confederate  scrip.  He  informed  me 
that  General  Ewell  had  crossed  the  Potomac  near  Williamsport, 
and  was  pushing  rapidly  across  Maryland  for  Pennsylvania.  I 
accordingly  made  up  my  mind  to  strike  one  of  the  fords  above 
Martinsburg,  and  endeavor  to  overtake  the  column  near  the 
border-line. 

"  Do  you  know  whether  the  Yanks  have  any  troops  in  Mary- 
land?" I  asked  as  we  discussed  our  frugal  meal  of  rye-coffee, 
eggs,  ham,  and  wheat-cakes. 

"•  Why,  bless  you  !  "  he  replied,  "  they  haven't  got  over  the 
surprise  we  gave  them  by  turning  their  flank  so  neatly,  after 


THE  SCOUT'S   STORY.  313 

tliat  infernal  figlit  at  Brandy,  whicli  so  crippled  us  in  horse- 
flesh." 

As  I  trotted  out  of  the  town,  I  found  the  Berryville  pike- 
road  completely  choked  by  General  Longstreet's  wagon  and 
ammunition  trains ;  accordingly  turned  into  the  Smithfield 
road  toward  Mount  Summit,  finding  the  infantry  in  posses- 
sion. 

Fresh  as  I  was  from  the  midst  of  our  own  well-appointed  and 
disciplined  army,  the  contrast  afforded  by  these  Confederate 
troops  was  a  striking  one.  Marching  pell-mell,  with  no  heed  to 
order  or  formation,  the  infantry  scuttled  along  at  a  terrific  rate 
of  speed.  The  men  were  but  lightly  clad,  very  few  had  a  knap- 
sack, nor  were  they  much  burdened  with  blankets  or  shelter- 
tents  ;  betokening  great  suffering  and  hardship  in  wet  and  tem- 
pestuous weather.  The  day  being  then  a  warm  and  pleasant 
one,  the  troops  seemed  in  great  spirits,  laughing  and  joking 
over  the  prospect  of  going  over  into  "Maryland,  my  Mary- 
land." None  of  the  men  had,  however,  that  rugged,  healthy 
look  so  noticeable  in  our  own  army. 

I  had  very  little  difficulty  in  making  good  progress  past  these 
ragged  but  brave-looking  troops ;  as  they  nearly  all  avoided  the 
road,  preferring  the  turf  on  either  side,  to  lessen  the  dust. 
When  I  reached  the  fork  of  the  Mount-Summit  road,  I  over- 
took General  Longstreet  and  his  staff,  as  they  sat  on  their  horses 
watching  the  progress  of  the  corps.  Determined  not  to  fight 
shy  of  any  one,  I  rode  boldly  up  to  the  general,  whom  I  recog- 
nized by  his  abundant  beard  and  flowing  hair.  Inquiring  if  he 
could  give  me  any  advice  regarding  my  route  toward  General 
Ewell's  column,  I  stated  I  carried  dispatches  from  General  Lee 
for  that  officer. 

"  I  don't  know  exactly  where  General  Ewell  is  pushing  for, 
myself,  lieutenant,"  said  the  general  courteously.  "I  only 
know  that  I  am  to  cross  above  Martinsburg,  and  then  press 
across  the  country  until  I  connect  with  him." 

"  I  understood  that  was  your  route,"  I  replied,  as  though  I 


314  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

knew  all  about  it.  "  I  presume  General  Stuart's  cavalry  will 
cover  your  flank." 

"  Yes :  I  rely  on  his  co-operation  to  some  extent,  now  that 
General  Ewell  has  taken  Imboden  and  Jenkins  with  him." 

"  My  own  idea,  general,  was,  to  strike  across  the  river  right 
ahead,  and  endeavor  to  overtake  General  Ewell  near  Hagers- 
town,  by  the  Sharpsburg  road.  I  believe  those  roads  are  all 
open." 

"That  would  be  your  best  route,"  replied  General  Long- 
street.  "  Do  you  know  the  purport  of  your  orders,  or  have  you 
duplicates  for  me  ?  " 

"  General  Ewell  is  to  make  a  rapid  movement  on  Chambers- 
burg,  and  at  the  same  time  collect  supplies." 

"  Well,  if  that  is  all,"  exclaimed  General  Longstreet  with  a 
genial  laugh ;  "  he  seems  to  have  anticipated  his  instructions 
pretty  well ;  for  I  saw  two  immense  trains  coming  from  him 
yesterday." 

"Indeed!  I  am  glad  of  that.  But  I  must  beg  your  permis- 
sion to  ride  forward.     Here  are  my  passes,  sir." 

General  Longstreet  merely  glanced  at  my  papers,  saying, 
"  All  right,  sir :  I  trust  you  will  have  "good  success.  Please  tell 
General  Ewell  for  me,  that  I  expect  to  open  communication 
witli  him  to-morrow  or  the  next  day.  Do  you  know  whether 
General  Lee  is  coming  up  ?  " 

"  His  headquarters  were  to  be  at  Cedar  Creek  this  morning, 
I  believe ,  and  he  will  probably  reach  the  river  to-night. 
Good-day,  sir." 

Lifting  my  hat  in  salute,  I  rode  off,  reaching  Martinsburg 
before  sunset,  and  soon  after  forded  the  Potomac  just  above 
the  town.  I  had  a  lonel}^  ride  for  several  hours,  when,  my 
faithful  mare  showing  signs  of  fatigue,  I  decided  to  rest  for  the 
night,  which  I  did  in  a  deserted  barn ;  being  quite  refreshed  in 
the  morning. 

At  daylight  I  was  again  in  the  saddle,  somewhat  stiff  from 
my  unaccustomed  horseback-exercise ;  but  I  persevered,  and 


THE  SCOUT'S   STORY.  315 

kept  the  road  all  day,  meeting  a  citizen  now  and  then  as  I 
pushed  forward.  As  the  evening  drew  on,  I  found  myself  near 
Hagerstown,  where  I  expected  to  find  General  Ewell.  Riding 
on  for  a  mile  or  two  farther,  I  was  rewarded  by  the  sight  of  a 
camp,  which  I  rightly  judged  to  be  that  of  E well's  corps.  The 
pickets  soon  had  me  in  charge,  and  I  was  immediately  escorted 
to  the  general's  headquarters,  situated  in  a  house  on  the  other 
side  of  the  town.  As  soon  as  my  arrival  was  announced,  I  was 
ushered  into  his  presence. 

"  Well,  sir !  "  said  tlie  general  sharply,  "  what  is  your  busi- 
ness with  me  ?  " 

"I  have  ridden  from  army  headquarters,  sir,  since  the  day 
before  yesterday,  and  bring  you  these  dispatches,"  said  I,  hand- 
ing him  the  tinfoil  packet  I  had  received  from  Watson. 

General  Ewell  hurriedly  opened  the  packet,  and,  walking 
over  to  a  lamp,  soon  mastered  their  contents,  saying  as  he  did 
so, — 

"  You  have  arrived  in  good  time,  lieutenant ;  for  I  was  find- 
ing myself  at  the  end  of  the  brief  instructions  given  me  by 
General  Lee  before  crossing  the  Potomac." 

"I  was  told  to  make  haste,  sir,  and  Avould  have  reached  you 
some  hours  ago,  had  I  not  been  disappointed  in  obtaining  a 
fresh  horse  at  Winchester." 

"  That  was  unfortunate,  and  I  thank  you  for  your  persever- 
ance.    Where  do  you  intend  going  next?  " 

"  I  am  directed  to  strike  the  Potomac  below  Harper's  Ferry, 
join  General  Stuart,  and  report  your  progress  j  but  I  shall 
never  reach  him  with  my  mare,  as  she  is  completely  used  up." 

"  You  shall  have  another  from  a  batch  of  fat  Yankee  horses 
we  captured  to-day,"  replied  General  Ewell. 

"  I  passed  General  Longstreet's  corps  near  Martinsburg  yes- 
terday, general,"  said  I :  "  he  told  me  to  say  that  he  expects 
to  overtake  you  to-morrow." 

"  Glad  to  hear  it :  Ave  need  him  very  much,"  said  the  general, 
leading  me  to  the  veranda,  and  introducing  me  to  his  staff. 


316  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

One  of  these  young  gentlemen,  finding  that  I  had  ridden 
hard  all  day,  suggested  supper,  which  meal  I  soon  discussed. 
Finding  my  blankets  and  saddle  on  the  veranda,  I  made  up  my 
bed  there,  the  night  being  a  sultry  one  ;  and  I  soon  fell  asleep, 
despite  the  dangers  by  which  I  was  surrounded. 

The  sun  was  well  up  when  I  awoke.  The  troops  were 
already  in  rapid  motion,  and  I  had  scarcely  achieved  my 
toilet  before  a  summons  to  breakfast  came  from  the  staff.  An 
hour  after,  we  were  galloping  hard  after  General  Ewell  as  he 
rode  forward  to  gain  the  advance  of  the  corps,  I  having  been 
furnished  with  a  powerful  horse  wrested  from  the  possession  of 
some  Maryland  farmer. 

I  had  intended  leaving  General  Ewell  at  Hagerstown,  under 
pretense  of  taking  the  road  for  Berlin ;  but  my  plan  was  upset 
by  a  report  that  the  Federals  were  in  possession  of  the  lower 
fords.  I  was  therefore  compelled,  in  order  to  avoid  suspicion,  to 
remain  with  the  general  until  a  more  favorable  opportunity 
offered;  and  accompanied  the  column  until  it  reached  Cham- 
bersburg.  The  scenes  I  witnessed  were  both  novel  and  inter- 
esting ,  so  much  so,  indeed,  that  for  a  time  I  forgot  my  danger 
in  the  possible  arrival  of  some  new  carrier  from  General  Lee, 
who  would  readily  expose  my  imposture,  and  doom  me  to  meet 
the  fate  of  a  spy. 

As  we  progressed,  I  was  astonished  at  the  celerity  with  which 
the  Confederate  cavalry  gathered  immense  droves  of  valuable 
cattle,  besides  accumulating  other  stores.  The  entire  country 
seemed  panic-stricken  by  the  devastation  going  on. 

When  our  column  reached  Chambersburg,  one  of  the  divis- 
'ions  was  sent  to  Carlisle  and  a  second  towards  York,  the  inten- 
tion being  to  force  the  passage  of  the  Susquehanna  River ;  the 
Confederates  being  in  high  glee  at  the  apparent  hesitation  of 
the  Federals  in  pursuing  them.  While  I  was  casting  about 
for  a  plausible  excuse  to  leave,  news  arrived  that  the  Northern 
militia  had  destroyed  several  bridges  on  the  Susquehanna ;  and 
I  ascertained  that  a  retrograde  movement  had  already  been 


THE   SCOUT'S   STORY.  317 

commenced  by  the  advanced  divisions  of  the  Confederate 
army. 

General  Lee  being  reported  to  be  at  Hagerstown,  I  bade 
adieu  to  General  Ewell,  ostensibly  to  join  general  head- 
quarters. 

On  riding  out  of  Chambersburg,  I  found  every  thing  in 
confusion ;  and  it  was  easy  to  see  that  the  programme  of 
operations  had  been  suddenly  changed,  —  the  effect,  evidently, 
of  some  bold  maneuver  of  the  Federal  army.  Both  Longstreet 
and  Hill  had  been  checked  in  their  movement  on  Harrisburg ; 
and,  when  I  reached  the  vicinity  of  the  South  Mountain  range, 
I  was  surprised  to  see  both  of  their  corps  moving  rapidly  for 
the  upjier  Gaps,  preparing  to  cross. 

Near  midnight  I  overtook  the  main  body  of  General  Long- 
street's  corps  as  it  passed  through  the  Gap,  and  experienced 
no  difficulty  in  ascertaining  that  General  Lee  intended  concen- 
trating his  forces  the  next  day. 

While  I  sat  on  my  horse  by  the  roadside,  vainly  endeavoring 
to  discover  the  destination  of  the  troops  as  they  pressed  for- 
ward, the  clew  was  unexpectedly  placed  in  my  hands.  A  staff- 
officer  suddenly  accosted  me,  and  asked  if  I  knew  the  road  or 
the  distance  to  Gettysburg.  The  name  fell  flatly  on  my  ear, 
though  I  saw  in  an  instant  that  a  clever  stratagem  might  aid 
me  in  getting  the  information  I  sought. 

"  You  are  fortunate,  sir,  in  your  question,"  I  replied  :  "  I 
have  just  come  from  there.'' 

"  Indeed  !  Then  General  Ewell  is  in  possession  ?  "  he  ex- 
claimed eagerly. 

"  He  must  be  by  this  time,"  said  I  at  hap-hazard,  endeavoring 
to  discover  his  meaning. 

"  But  how  came  you  here  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  I  was  sent  up  to  communicate  with  General  Longstreet, 
and  I  am  now  waiting  for  a  chance  to  get  through  to  General 
Hill  with  orders  for  him,"  said  I,  getting  a  little  frightened  at 
the  necessity  for  so  much  invention. 


818  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Well,  my  errand  is  a  more  important  one,  sir :  so  I  must 
request  your  aid  to  set  me  on  the  right  road." 

"  With  pleasure,  sir,"  I  replied :  "  I'll  ride  back  into  the  val- 
ley with  you,  as  far  as  the  cross-roads." 

Without  another  word,  we  both  rode  on  as  fast  as  the  moving 
column  would  permit,  until  we  reached  the  open  country.  On 
taking  up  the  conversation  again,  I  inquired  of  my  companion 
if  he  did  not  believe  we  would  have  a  battle  soon.  He  ex- 
pressed the  opinion  that  a  collision  could  not  be  deferred  many 
days ;  also  informing  me  that  the  entire  Confederate  army 
would  be  concentrated  near  Gettj^sburg  before  the  close  of  an- 
other day,  as  the  Federals  were  reported  to  be  moving  rapidly 
up  from  Frederick  City. 

"  But  why  make  a  stand  at  Gettysburg  ?  "  I  asked.  "  My 
impression  was,  that  General  Lee  intended  to  first  strike 
Harrisburg." 

"  So  he  did,  yesterday :  but  General  Hooker  has  been  suc- 
ceeded by  General  Meade  in  the  command  of  the  Federal  army, 
and  he  evidently  means  to  force  a  fight  wherever  he  can  meet 
us  ;  so  we  will  not  balk  him." 

"  No  doubt  of  that,"  I  replied,  "  unless  the  Yanks  succeed 
in  outflanking  us." 

"  That  may  be  General  Meade's  notion,  though  he'll  find 
himself  mightily  mistaken  by  to-morrow  night." 

Here  was  news  in  earnest,  and  I  saw  I  had  mastered  the 
Confederate  situation  completely.  Lee  intended  to  surprise 
my  old  corps-commander,  by  a  forced  march  which  would 
gather  his  whole  army  and  enable  it  to  fall  upon  the  scattered 
columns  of  the  dear  old  Army  of  the  Potomac.  By  defeating 
one  or  two,  he  would  demoralize  Meade's  troops,  and  gain 
another  victory.  The  time  for  leaving  the  Confederate  lines 
had  at  length  arrived,  and  I  was  now  in  an  excellent  position 
to  effect  my  escape. 

Having  now  left  the  column,  and  entered  a  side  road,  osten- 
sibly to  show  my  companion  a  short  cut,  but  really  to  avoid 


THE  SCOUT'S   STORY.  319 

General  Longstreet  and  his  staff,  who  were,  of  course,  ahead, 
I  galloped  on  for  a  mile  or  two  until  we  reached  another  cross- 
ing, when  I  drew  rein,  and,  pointing  to  the  left,  audaciously 
informed  the  Confederate  there  was  his  road,  and  prepared  to 
leave  liim. 

"  I  am  a  thousand  times  obliged  to  j^ou,  sir,  for  your  kind- 
ness," said  he  politely.  "May  I  know  whom  I  have  to  thank 
for  this  service  ?  '' 

"Certainly,  sir:  I'm  Lieutenant  Watson,  of  General  Lee's 
staff,  at  your  service.'' 

"  Who  did  you  say?  "  he  exclaimed  in  an  excited  voice. 
"Lieutenant  Fred  Watson,  special  and  confidential  scout," 
I  replied,  feeling  quite  uneasy  at  his  manner. 

"  No,  I'll  be  hanged  if  you  are  !  "  shouted  my  troublesome 
friend,  suddenly  drawing  his  revolver.  "  You  are  an  infernal 
Yankee  spy  !  that's  what  j/ou  are." 

In  less  time  than  I  can  tell  you,  Wilmot,  I  had  fathomed  the 
depth  of  my  peril.  I  had  unluckily  encountered  one  of  Lee's 
personal  staff,  and  knew,  that,  if  he  was  permitted  to  discharge 
his  pistol,  the  report  would  increase  my  danger,  even  if  I  es- 
caped a  wound.  But  the  human  mind  acts  rapidly :  so  I  formed 
my  plan  in  a  second. 

Deigning  no  reply  to  the  fierce  denunciation  of  my  opponent, 
I  plunged  both  spurs  savagely  into  the  quivering  flanks  of  my 
horse,  causing  him  to  plunge  in  terror  and  sudden  force  against 
the  shoulder  of  my  accuser's  steed.  As  the  two  animals  came 
in  collision,  I  seized  one  of  my  revolvers  from  my  belt,  and 
dashed  the  hand  thus  weighted  full  into  the  face  of  the  Confed- 
erate. So  terrific  was  the  blow,  aided  by  the  impetus  given  it 
by  tlie  horse's  plunge,  that  the  aide  reeled  in  his  saddle,  and 
finally  tumbled  head  over  heels  into  the  road,  bleeding,  blinded, 
and  half-stunned  by  the  fall. 

As  the  officer  struck  the  ground,  without  a  moment's  hesita- 
tion I  turned  and  dashed  wildly  down  the  road,  revolver  in 
hand,  determined  to  escape,  or  sell  my  life  dearly. 


320  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

On,  on,  I  galloped  in  the  uncertain  light  of  an  approaching 
day  ,  but  as  I  grimly  sat  in  my  saddle,  and  urged  the  horse 
forward,  I  felt  equal  to  the  perils  by  which  I  seemed  surrounded. 
I  had  ridden  nearly  a  mile  from  the  scene  of  the  struggle,  when 
my  horse  checked  his  headlong  speed  to  cross  a  small  stream. 
As  his  feet  touched  the  water,  my  attentive  ear  caught  the 
sound  of  another  horse  in  the  road  behind  me,  evidently  in 
pursuit. 

Supposing  that  the  discomfited  aide  had  recovered  himself, 
and  was  endeavoring  to  overtake  me,  I  determined  to  give  him 
a  long,  stern  chase.  My  horse  also  heard  the  pursuer,  and 
apparently  entered  into  my  feelings,  for  he  stretched  out  into 
a  long,  hard  gallop  that  soon  gave  me  the  advantage  I  sought. 
An  hour  passed  in  this  way,  and  yet  I  could  hear  my  pursuer 
at  my  heels ,  until,  becoming  tired  of  the  chase,  I  decided  to 
put  an  end  to  it.  Drawing  my  horse  to  one  side,  under  the 
shadow  of  a  convenient  tree,  I  awaited  the  advent  of  my  foe. 

Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  sound  of  the  horse's  feet,  until 
he  suddenly  came  in  sight.  Tightly  grasping  my  reins  with 
one  hand,  I  held  a  revolver  in  the  other,  prepared  to  open  the 
duel  I  believed  to  be  inevitable.  As  the  animal  passed  me  I 
was  astonished  to  find  him  riderless;  and,  his  quick  instinct 
causing  him  to  check  his  pace  at  the  scent  of  my  steed,  I  saw 
that  I  had  been  running  away  from  a  horse  and  not  a  man. 
When  I  had  unhorsed  my  antagonist,  the  animal  had  taken 
fright  and  naturally  galloped  after  his  equine  companion,  thus 
doing  me  an  inestimable  service. 

Laughing  heartily  over  the  oddity  of  the  adventure,  I  took 
possession  of  the  horse,  and  more  leisurely  proceeded  on  my 
journey. 

Daylight  came  soon  after ;  when  I  examined  the  saddle-bags 
of  the  unfortunate  aide,  who  was  no  doubt  in  a  sad  plight. 
Besides  a  few  biscuits  and  an  under-shirt,  I  found  a  map  which 
proved  to  be  of  great  value ;  for  upon  it  were  traced  the  pro- 
jected movements  of  General  Lee's  three  infantry  corps,  with 


THE  SCOUT'S   STORY.  321 

some  brief  comments  and  directions  for  General  Ewell  written 
on  the  margin. 

Overjoyed  at  this  bit  of  unexpected  good  luck,  I  was  busily 
examining  the  map,  when  a  bright  flash  followed  by  a  sudden 
explosion  on  my  right  told  me  quite  clearly  that  a  train  of  some 
kind  had  been  captured  and  destroyed.  A  short  distance  ahead 
I  came  to  another  of  the  cross-roads,  so  numerous  in  that  sec- 
tion;  and  a  moment  later  was  brought  into  collision  with  a 
mounted  Confederate,  who  ran  right  between  my  two  horses. 
Both  he  and  I  were  dismounted  by  the  shock,  and  before  we 
could  recover  ourselves  were  made  prisoners  by  a  portion  of 
General  Kilpatrick's  cavalry. 

Making  myself  known  to  the  officer  in  command  of  the 
detachment,  I  was  sent  under  escort  to  the  cavalry  general, 
whom  I  found  a  few  miles  farther  on.  Exhibiting  Watson's 
secret  Federal  pass,  which  he  had  cleverly  concealed  in  one  of 
the  jacket-buttons,  I  soon  convinced  Kilpatrick  I  had  need  of 
haste  to  reach  the  commanding  general ;  being  promptly  given 
an  escort  and  a  guide. 

We  found  General  Meade  near  a  village  called  Two  Taverns, 
on  the  line  of  Pipe  Creek.  When  I  rode  up  he  was  nervously 
pacing  up  and  down  under  a  tree.  Catching  sight  of  my  Con- 
federate uniform,  the  general  stopped  abruptly,  and  demanded 
my  errand. 

"I  have  just  arrived  from  General  Lee's  army,  sir,"  said  I, 
"and  know  something  about  his  plans." 

"Where  is  Lee  now,  and  how  is  he  moving?"  asked  General 
Meade,  eying  me  sharply  through  his  glasses. 

"  Ewell  had  abandoned  his  movement  on  the  Susquehanna, 
sir,  when  I  left  the  Confederate  lines  this  morning ;  and  he  is 
heading  this  way.  Generals  Hill  and  Longstreet  are  both 
moving  across  the  South  Mountains  to  join  him." 

"  I  know  Ewell  has  fallen  back,  but  are  you  sure  about  the 
other  corps?"  said  General  Meade. 

"Quite  so,"  I  replied.     "I   struck  both  their  corps  on  the 


322  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

other  side  of  the  range  last  night,  and  came  over  with  Gen- 
eral Longstreet's  column.  You  were  reported  to  be  moving  in 
full  force  to  attack  Ewell,  hence  this  sudden  change  in  Lee's 
maneuvers." 

"  I  believe  we  are  all  here,"  remarked  the  general  in  a  sar- 
donic tone ;  "  and  I'm  glad  the  beggars  are  concentrating. 
Where  do  you  suppose  their  rendezvous  to  be  ?  " 

"  Somewhere  near  a  place  called  Gettysburg,  sir,  and  I  could 
see  last  night  that  haste  had  been  insisted  upon." 

As  I  spoke,  a  staff-officer  rode  up,  when,  suddenly  catching 
my  eye,  he  exclaimed,  — 

"  Hullo,  sergeant !  so  you've  got  back,  eh  ?  I  was  afraid  jon 
had  got  into  some  trouble." 

I  had  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  in  the  speaker  the  scout 
I  had  been  personating  while  inside  the  Confederate  lines;  but, 
before  I  could  reply  to  his  salutation.  General  Meade  demanded 
an  explanation.  Watson  briefly  related  the  facts  attending  an 
exchange  of  characters ;  which  statement  elicited  a  few  words 
of  compliment  from  the  general,  who  expressed  himself  as 
much  pleased  with  my  success,  and  spoke  of  promotion  as  a 
reward.  It  was  then  that  I  triumphantly  produced  the  Con- 
federate map  I  had  captured  in  so  singular  a  manner,  and  was 
gratified  to  find  its  value  properly  appreciated. 

So  you  see,  captain,  that  was  how  I  became  a  scout ;  and  I 
have  since  learned  to  like  the  life  for  its  many  excitements  as. 
well  as  perils. 


A   CHANGE  IN  FORTUNE. 


323 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 


A   CHANGE   IN   FORTUNE. 


'  Therewith  they  gan,  both  furious  and  fell, 
To  thunder  blowes,  and  fiercely  to  assail." 


N  rejoining  our  regiment  from  picket-duty  at 
the  ford,  we  found  every  thing  in  readiness 
for  the  final  move.  Haines  had  informed  me 
that  Lee  was  preparing  to  act  on  the  defensive, 
therefore  the  burden  of  assault  must  fall  on  our 
shoulders:  the  campaign  would  undoubtedly 
||k  be  a  desperate  one.  The  concentration  of  the 
,g^  Federal  army  along  the  bank  of  the  Rapidan 
was  sufficient  indication  to  us  that  Grant  in- 
tended fighting  his  antagonist  on  Hooker's 
old  ground :  so  we  should  have  no  tedious 
series  of  marches  to  make  before  reaching  a 
The  tnorale  of  the  army  was  excellent ;  and  as  it 
had  been  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  the  Washington  garri- 
sons, and  the  Ninth  Corps  under  Burnside,  there  was  a  feeling 
of  confidence  in  the  ranks. 

On  the  3d  of  May  the  long-expected  orders  came  ;  and,  before 
nightfall,  the  entire  army  was  in  motion.  The  Fifth  and  Sixth 
Corps,  under  Warren  and  Sedgwick,  were  to  cross  at  Germanna 
Ford,  and  form  the  right  and  center ;  while  Hancock  was  to 
take  the  Second  Corps  to  Ely's  Ford,  and,  advancing  towards 
Chancellorsville,  occupy  the  left  of  the  formidable  line.  Burn- 
side's  command,  having  made  a  straight  march  from  Alexandria 
along  the  line  of  the  railroad,  was  held  in  reserve.     A  division 


'''\?'r^f% 


battle-field. 


324  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

of  cavalry  led  each  of  the  infantry  columns,  and  were  to 
uncover  the  enemj^'s  position. 

We  marched  to  within  striking  distance  of  the  fords,  halting 
at  midnight.  Being  again  afoot  at  daybreak,  we  reachetl  the 
river  soon  after  sunrise.  As  we  passed  through  the  woods,  our 
pontoon-train  clattered  by ;  and,  when  we  arrived  at  the  top 
of  the  steep  and  winding  road  that  led  to  the  ford,  we  found 
Wilson's  cavalry  division  halted  among  the  trees,  waiting  for 
the  engineers  to  build  the  bridge. 

It  was  a  picturesque  scene,  full  of  that  pomp  and  excitement 
attending  important  and  serious  movements  of  an  army.  The 
sun  shone  bright  and  warm  through  the  budding  trees,  and 
its  rays  played  in  lazy  dalliance  on  many  a  musket-barrel  and 
saber-hilt.  Here  and  there  among  the  undergrowth,  an  early 
shrub  was  clothed  with  fresh  green  leaves,  a  visible  token  that 
spring-time  had  come ;  and  there  was  a  delicious  perfume  per- 
vading the  forest,  that  made  me  think  of  home  and  my  boyhood 
j)leasures.  The  colors  of  the  regiments,  brigades,  or  divisions, 
though  torn  and  tattered  by  previous  campaigns,  lost  their  faded 
look,  as  they  idly  waved  in  the  morning  air,  or  were  caught  by 
the  gleam  of  sunshine  that  streamed  through  the  fairy  network 
of  limbs  and  branches  over  our  heads. 

The  men  were  in  high  spirits,  and  many  a  merry  jest  was 
passed  along  the  ranks  as  we  slowly  descended  the  hill.  It 
was  indeed  an  exhilarating  moment ;  and  as  I  listened  to  the 
murmur  of  many  voices,  the  sound  of  hurrying  feet,  or  the 
monotonous  rumble  of  cannon  and  caisson,  I  felt  my  heart 
beat  high  with  pride  and  expectation. 

Our  bridge  was  soon  finished ;  there  being  no  opposition 
offered  by  the  enemy,  beyond  a  few  scattered  shots  from  the 
pickets  as  they  precipitately  retired  before  our  imposing  num- 
bers. As  the  last  plank  fell  into  its  place,  the  cavalry  clattered 
across,  and  were  soon  out  of  sight.  We  followed  ;  and  by  sun- 
set the  entire  corps  had  reached  the  vicinity  of  Old  Wilderness 
Tavern,  at  the  intersection  of  the  plank-road  with  the  Orange 


A    CHANGE  IN  FORTUNE. 


325 


Court  House  turnpike.  Sedgwick  and  his  men  reached  the 
southern  bank  of  the  river  before  nightfall,  bivouacking  near 
the  ford ;  and  I  learned  from  a  staff-officer  that  Hancock  had 
also  reached  his  position  on  the  Chancellorsville  road.  The 
passage  of  the  river  had  been  successfully  accomplished :  three 
strong  corps,  comprising  nearly  one  hundred  thousand  men, 
over   one   hundred   pieces   of  artillery,  and   fifteen    thousand 


CROSSING   THE   KAPIDAN. 


horsemen,  had  crossed  a  swollen  and  turbulent  stream,  and 
plunged  boldly  into  the  wilderness  beyond.  The  reserve  corps 
and  our  immense  train  of  four  thousand  wagons  were  waiting 
on  the  other  side  for  the  result  of  the  impending  collision 
between  the  two  opposing  armies. 

"  Well,  Wilmot,"  said  ]\Iajor  Harding,  as  we  sat  eating  supper 
together,  "we  are  fairly  embarked  on  another  campaign.  I 
wonder  who  of  us  Avill  see  the  end  of  it?" 


326  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Ah  !  that  is  a  question  time  alone  can  solve,"  I  replied. 

"  Our  regiment  will  not  have  the  luck  of  our  last  cam- 
paign," said  Captain  Burch,  who,  as  usual,  was  in  a  querulous 
mood. 

"  Perhaps  not,"  responded  the  major :  "  we  were  very  fortu- 
nate last  summer,  considering  the  service  we  did.  Fitzgerald, 
Dunne,  and  poor  stuttering  Whipple  were  the  only  officers 
killed,  you  know;  and  we  lost  very  few  men  at  Gettysburg, 
compared  with  other  regiments." 

"•  We'll  pay  up  for  it  now,"  said  Captain  Burch.  "  I  hate 
this  bush-fighting :  you  never  know  exactly  Avhere  you  are." 

"  Come,  come,  Burch,  there's  no  use  finding  fault,"  I  ex- 
claimed, fairly  out  of  patience ;  for  the  captain's  habit  sorely 
tried  my  temper  at  all  times. 

"  I  know  it,  and  that's  why  I  do  it,"  said  Burch  whimsically : 
"  it's  the  only  comfort  I  have." 

"  Precious  queer  comfort  it  must  be,"  remarked  the  major. 
"  If  I  did  not  know  you,  Burch,  to  be  as  brave  an  officer  as 
any  in  the  regiment,  I  should  be  tempted  at  times  to  think  you 
were  afraid." 

"  That's  just  what  provokes  me,"  said  I.  "  He  is  always 
grumbling  until  we  go  into  action :  then  he  is  as  cool  as  a 
cucumber,  and  as  jolly  as  one  could  wish." 

"Well,  well,  boys,  don't  mind  me.  I  know  I'm  a  queer 
specimen;  but  you  two  ought  to  know  Ned  Burch  by  this 
time,"  and  the  captain  held  out  a  hand  to  each  of  us. 

"God  bless  j'ou,  old  fellow,"  said  the  major:  "your  heart  is 
in  the  right  place,  wherever  your  tongue  may  be." 

"  I  suppose  you  will  both  laugh  at  me,  but  somehow  I  feel 
that  Ned  won't  grumble  much  longer,"  said  the  captain. 

"  Nonsense,  man  !  "  exclaimed  Major  Harding.  "  Why,  you 
haven't  had  a  scratch  since  we  first  came  out." 

"  All  the  more  reason  for  my  going  under  now.  No,  I  don't 
expect  to  escape  this  time." 

"  Upon  my  word,  Burch,  you  are  a  trifle  more  disagreeable 


A    CHANGE  IN  FORTUNE.  327 

than  usual  to-night,"  said  I.  "What  in  the  world  put  such 
gloomy  forebodings  into  your  head  ?  " 

"  I'll  tell  3'ou ;  "  and  here  the  captain's  voice  unconsciously 
grew  soft  and  tender:  "you  must  know  that  I  was  not  always 
the  carping  wretch  that  I  now  am.  When  I  was  younger,  and 
the  world  seemed  as  bright  as  it  no  doubt  appears  to  you, 
Frank,  I  loved  a  beautiful  girl,  and  rejoiced  in  the  knowledge 
that  my  love  was  reciprocated.  We  were  to  be  married,  Nelly 
and  I ;  and  I  was  as  happy  as  is  possible  for  us  poor  weak  mortals. 
Then  she  fell  ill,  and  died  in  my  arms,  her  soft  eyes  full  of  love 
for  me  until  death  closed  them  forever.  When  they  lowered 
my  girl's  body  into  the  grave,  I  felt  myself  a  changed  man,  and 
became  the  moody  creature  I  am.  Then  this  war  came,  and  I 
volunteered,  reckless  as  to  my  fate.  At  times  I  fancy  my  Nelly 
is  near  me,  when  my  heart  grows  as  soft  as  a  woman's.  Last 
night  while  we  were  sleeping  over  there  among  the  trees,  I 
dreamed  that  she  came  and  told  me  the  end  was  near.  As  she 
spoke,  I  saw  a  field  in  some  woods,  near  a  road,  and  found 
myself  charging  across  it  with  the  regiment.  We  reached  the 
edge  of  the  field,  and  I  saw  a  low  breastwork  in  the  brush 
beyond.  Just  at  that  'moment  a  sheet  of  flame  sprang  from  the 
breastwork,  and  I  knew  I  was  hit.  An  intense  pain  shot 
through  my  body,  and  I  awoke  to  find  it  all  a  dream.  Depend 
upon  it,  though,  it  Avas  a  warning." 

"  What !  frightened  by  a  dream  ?  "  exclaimed  Major  Harding. 

"  No,"  said  the  captain  :  "  I  have  no  fear." 

Both  Harding  and  myself  were  depressed  by  Burch's 
forebodings :  so  we  wrapped  ourselves  in  our  blankets,  leaving 
our  friend  gazing  into  the  fire  in  moody  silence. 

The  sun  was  already  up,  Avhen  a  touch  from  Dennis  woke 
me  from  my  slumbers,  the  men  being  busy  over  their  break- 
fasts. A  cup  of  steaming  coffee  and  a  biscuit  sufficed  me ;  for 
the  excitement  of  the  movement  took  away  my  appetite,  and 
I  was  glad  when  orders  came  for  us  to  go  forward.  We  passed 
down  the  road  for  about  half  a  mile,  until  the  ground  became 


328  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

uneven ;  finding  Generals  Grant  and  Meade  waiting  for  us  in  a 
nook  in  the  woods  by  the  wayside.  Behind  these  two  officers 
lounged  their  brilliant  staffs,  carelessly  watching  our  corps  as 
it  passed.  General  Meade  was  standing  on  the  bank  that  over- 
looked the  road,  his  soldierly  figure  contrasting  strangely  with 
that  of  the  lieutenant-general,  who  was  seated  on  a  decaying 
stump,  apparently  more  interested  in  the  toe  of  his  boot  than 
our  movements.  An  unlighted  cigar  was  between  Grant's  teeth, 
and  he  chewed  the  weed  viciously.  When  our  regiment  came 
in  front  of  the  two  generals,  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  General 
Grant's  eyes,  as  he  lifted  them  for  a  moment.  Clear  and 
steady,  calm  and  confident,  this  great  leader  seemed  in  that 
single  glance  to  take  in  the  face  of  every  man  within  his  range ; 
and  I  was  impressed  by  the  strong  will  betokened  by  the  square 
chin  and  the  firm  mouth  of  the  man  who  was  planning  and 
conducting  our  campaign.  The  tall,  courtly  figure  of  IMeade, 
his  trim  gray  hair,  and  neat  regulation  cap,  gave  him  a  martial 
look,  as  he  leaned  on  his  saber  ;  while  the  heavy  frame  of  Grant, 
who  wore  no  sword,  seemed  the  "very  opposite  of  my  precon- 
ceived ideas  of  our  new  commander.  The  wide-brimmed  hat, 
pulled  down  over  his  eyes,  and  the  closely  clipped  beard,  made 
the  renowned  chieftain  appear  so  unlike  a  soldier  that  it  needed 
the  uniform  and  the  broad  shoulder-strap,  with  its  row  of  triple 
stars,  to  remind  one  that  here  was  a  warrior  already  famous. 

In  a  moment  we  had  passed,  and  it  was  long  before  I  again 
saw  either  of  these  generals. 

"An'  was  that  Grant?"  said  Dennis  to  me  as  soon  as  we 
were  out  of  sight  of  the  distinguished  group. 

"  Yes.     What  do  you  think  of  him  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  He's  a  quare-looking  gineral,"  responded  the  sergeant. 
"But  he's  a  foighter:  his  eye  tells  that." 

"Do  yoxji  like  his  looks,  Dennis?" 

"  Faix,  an'  I  do.  Whin  he  makes  up  his  mind  to  do  a  thing 
he'll  hang  on  like  a  tarrier." 

The   line  now  began   breaking  oif  from   the  road   into  the 


PASSING  GUANT  AND  MEADt. 


A    CHANGE  IN  FORTUNE.  331 

woods  on  our  right ;  and,  as  my  regiment  followed  in  its  turn,  I 
saw  our  corps  commander,  General  Warren,  standing  on  some 
rising  ground  in  front,  apparently  watching  for  signs  of  the 
enemy  we  all  knew  must  be  quite  near.  Behind  the  general, 
couUy  sitting  on  a  log  by  the  side  of  the  road,  was  Osborne  the 
correspondent,  whom  we  had  not  seen  or  heard  of  since  Christ- 
mas.    Seeing  me,  he  rose  and  joined  us. 

"  Halloa,  Wilmot !  so  you  are  going  in,  eh  ?  "  said  he  as  we 
shook  hands.     "  This  promises  to  be  a  desperate  fight." 

"  It  does  indeed,"  was  my  reply.  "  Where  have  you  been  to 
all  this  winter  ?  " 

"  You  would  never  guess." 

"  I  suppose  not.     Is  it  a  secret?  " 

"  Not  now.     I  went  down  to  Nassau,  New  Providence." 

"  What  for,  pray  ?  "   I  asked  in  some  surprise. 

"  Oh !  our  chief  thought  a  few  hints  about  the  blockade-run- 
ners would  be  useful  and  interesting:  so,  happening  to  be  in 
New  York,  he  packed  me  off  by  the  first  steamer.  But  it  didn't 
pay.  The  blockade  business  has  gone  to  pieces :  so,  after  coast- 
ting  a  few  weeks  among  the  coral-reefs,  I  pulled  up  sticks  and 
came  home,  just  in  time  to  join  you  fellows  here  among  the 
trees  and  vines." 

"  Is  the  enemy  in  force  here,  Osborne  ? "  asked  Major 
Harding. 

"  That's  just  what  AVarren  is  trying  to  discover.  As  yet 
there  are  no  signs,  but  they  can  not  be  far  off." 

"Why?" 

"•  Well,  you  see,"  replied  Osborne,  "  Lee  can  not  afford  to  let 
us  pass  these  dense  woods  —  well  named  the  Wilderness  — 
without  a  fight,  for  then  we  could  have  him  in  comparatively 
open  country." 

"  You  talk  very  learnedly,  Osborne,"  said  I,  laugliing  at  his 
confident  tone.     "  You  ought  to  be  a  lieutenant-general." 

"I  suppose  it  does  seem  odd  to  you  to  hear  me  speak  as  I 
do,"  remarked  Osborne  ;  "  but  we  correspondents  have  to  stud}- 


332  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

military  problems,  as  well  as  the  generals,  or  we  couldn't  de- 
scribe campaigns  and  battles  intelligently." 

"  What  do  you  expect  the  result  will  be  ? "  asked  Captain 
Burch. 

"Hard  to  say.  But  one  thing  you  may  be  certain  of:  we're 
not  going  across  the  Rapidan  again.  Grant  has  come  here  to 
stay." 

"  I'm  devilish  glad  of  it,"  said  Burch.  "  We  must  be  nearly 
two  to  one ;  and,  if  we  can't  hold  our  ground  with  these  odds, 
we  had  better  give  up  and  be  done  with  it." 

"It's  not  a  question  of  holding  ground,  captain,"  sagely 
remarked  the  correspondent.  "  Grant  will  fight  all  round  Lee 
if  necessary.     He  means  to  turn  his  flank  if  possible." 

"  Hooker  tried  that,  and  succeeded  for  a  time,"  replied  the 
captain  with  a  harsh  laugh.  "  Yet  we  got  the  worst  licking  at 
Chancellorsville  since  the  war  began." 

"  You  mustn't  compare  Grant  to  Hooker,"  exclaimed  Osborne 
warmly.  "  Besides,  Grant  has  more  power :  Washington  inter- 
ference is  cut  off  now." 

"  By  the  flank,  march !  "  cried  our  colonel ;  and  away  we 
went  crashing  through  the  trees,  leaving  the  correspondent  to 
his  own  devices. 

Our  brigade  formed  the  left  of  the  division ;  and,  as  we  lay 
in  line  of  battle,  I  could  see  that  the  others  were  taking  up 
position  on  the  left  of  the  wood.  At  the  same  time  orders 
came  for  skirmishers.  Lieutenant  Foster  being  selected  to 
command  our  regimental  detail. 

As  yet  a  deep  silence  reigned  in  the  woods,  and  one  un- 
accustomed to  campaign-life  would  scarcely  believe  that  a 
desperate  and  bloody  battle  was  so  soon  to  commence. 

I  had  begun  to  ponder  on  the  probabilities  of  the  future, 
when  word  was  passed  down  the  line  that  Colonel  Lloyd  wished 
to  see  his  officers. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  the  colonel  as  we  gatherc  d  round  him, 
"we  are  to  go  forward  soon  and  engage.     I  lear    from  General 


A    CHANGE  IN  FORTUNE.  333 

Fletcher  that  Lee  is  believed  to  be  in  strong  force  on  our  im- 
mediate front:  so  we  must  be  prepared  to  bear  the  brunt  of 
this  fight.     Are  the  men  in  good  spirits?" 

"  Couldn't  be  better,"  said  Lieutenant-Colonel  Purcell :  "  IVe 
just  passed  along  the  line,  and  found  them  cool  and  quiet." 
"  That's  well.  Now,  gentlemen,  to  your  stations." 
As  the  colonel  spoke,  he  held  out  his  hands  :  we  clasped  them 
in  turn,  and  then  silently  separated  to  our  companies.  It  was 
a  soldierly  farewell  and  a  brave  one.  Of  the  nineteen  officers 
present,  seven  were  to  die  before  the  sun  set. 

"  Take  care  of  yourself,  Frank,"  said  Major  Harding,  as  he 
shook  my  hand  before  walking  over  to  his  place  in  the  line. 
"  I'll  try  to,"  I  replied  briefly  but  cheerily. 
"  Zouaves,  move  forward  !  "  shouted  our  colonel. 
Steadily,  silently,  the   line   advanced   through   the   tangled 
undergrowth  for  a  few  hundred  yards,  when  the  order  came  to 
halt.     As  yet  we  had  discovered  no  signs  of  the  enemy,  and  the 
pickets  remained  silent.     Finding  that  we  were  not  to  move 
immediately,  the  men  sat  down  in  ranks  and  patiently  waited. 
Seeing  the  major  lying  on  the  ground  near  me,  I  went  over 
to  him. 

"  Well,  Wilmot,"  said  he,  as  I  sat  down  beside  him,  "  this 
looks  like  business :  crossing  a  river  one  day,  and  going  into  an 
engagement  the  next,  is  quick  work." 

"  Yes,  indeed,"  I  replied.  "  It's  not  what  we  are  accustomed 
to ;  but,  do  you  know,  I  rather  like  it.  Those  long  marches 
tire  one  out  so  !  " 

"  So  do  I  like  it.  Though  I  agree  with  Burch  about  fighting 
in  the  woods :  our  artillery  is  positively  useless  here." 

"  But  I  saw  a  section  of  a  battery  pass  up  the  road  only  a 
few  minutes  ago,"  said  I. 

'^  I  know  it,"  replied  jNIajor  Harding ;  "  but  it's  only  a  sec- 
tion. What  can  a  couple  of  guns  do  ?  We  ought  to  be  able 
to  use  half  a  dozen  whole  batteries.  No :  we  must  depend  on 
the  musket  a\d  bullet  to-day." 


334  BULLET  AND    SHELL. 

"Where's  Colonel  Lloyd ?"  suddenly  exclaimed  young  Jen- 
kins, our  brigadier's  aide,  as  his  horse  came  tumbling  through 
the  bushes. 

"  Here,"  replied  the  colonel,  rising  from  the  ground  near  by. 
"  What  is  it,  Jenkins  ?  " 

"You  are  to  move  forward,  sir,  to  the  edge  of  a  field  in 
front,"  said  the  aide ;  "  and  when  you  get  there,  have  your  men 
fix  bayonets,  and  lie  down  until  the  bugle  sounds  the  advance." 

"  All  right,  Jenkins :  I  understand.     Attention,  battalion  I  " 

Away  we  went,  headlong,  through  the  young  timber. 
Scarcely  had  the  line  begun  moving  when  our  pickets  opened 
•  merrily.     The  battle  had  fairly  begun. 

In  a  few  moments  we  came  up  to  the  pickets,  and  passed 
through  their  line.  Now  the  bullets  beg,an  to  spatter  among 
the  trees,  and  I  saw  one  or  two  men  fall.  Going  on  for  a  few 
yards  farther,  I  noticed  Hyde,  one  of  my  men,  standing  still, 
the  regiment  leaving  him  behind.  Angry  at  the  thought  that 
the  fellow  was  endeavoring  to  slip  to  the  rear,  T  rushed  at  him 
with  my  sword.  But  the  undergrowth  of  vines  hindered  me, 
and  it  was  with  difficulty  that  I  reached  the  seeming  skulker. 

"  Go  forward,  sir !  what  are  you  'standing  there  for  ? "  I 
shouted. 

As  I  roughly  seized  the  man's  arm,  his  body  swayed  for  an 
instant,  and,  the  next,  fell  heavily  to  the  ground.  He  was  dead. 
A  ball  had  passed  through  his  brain,  while  the  dense  under- 
growth had  held  his  lifeless  body  erect  as  if  alive. 

Shocked  by  the  discovery,  I  dashed  on  after  the  regiment, 
and  lay  down  with  the  men  at  the  edge  of  the  field.  It  was  a 
mere  patch  of  cleared  ground  in  the  midst  of  the  forest,  and 
had  evidently  been  abandoned  before  the  war  began ;  for  sev- 
eral young  pines  had  taken  root  here  and  there  in  the  center. 
We  were  still  in  doubt  as  to  the  precise  position  of  the  enemy ; 
though  we  knew  they  were  now  quite  close,  by  the  increased 
showers  of  bullets  that  were  clipping  the  branches  over  our 
heads. 


A    CHANGE  IN  FORTUNE.  335 

Captain  Burch  crept  to  my  side,  his  face  brighter  than  I  had 
ever  noticed  it  before. 

"We're  going  in  soon,  Wihnot,"  said  he  in  a  strange  voice. 
"  My  dream  is  coming  true." 

"  Nonsense,  man  !     Confound  your  dream  !  "  I  retorted. 

"Ah!  but  here's  the  field,  and  yonder  we  shall  find  the 
breastworks,"  replied  the  captain,  quietly  pointing  across  the 
opening  before  us. 

A  feeling  of  awe  began  to  overpower  me  at  Burch's  strange 
words  and  manner ;  but  it  was  at  once  dispelled  by  the  shrill 
notes  of  our  general's  bugle,  ordering  the  charge.  The  men 
heard,  and  understood  it  also ;  for,  without  waiting  for  our 
colonel  to  give  the  word  of  command,  away  they  went,  pell- 
mell,  over  the  open  ground. 

A  perfect  hailstorm  of  bullets  saluted  us  as  we  emerged  from, 
the  shelter  of  the  trees,  and  men  were  soon  droj^ping  in  every 
direction.  On  we  went,  however ;  but  scarcely  three-fourths 
of  the  regiment  crossed  the  field,  and  entered  the  woods  on  the 
other  side. 

I  had  stumbled  over  a  wounded  man,  who  fell  in  front  of  me 
when  half-way  across  the  field ;  and,  while  picking  myself  up 
again  to  follow  the  regiment,  I  saw  Dennis  stoop  and  seize  the 
colors,  as  their  bearer  turned  over  on  his  side  and  expired. 
Dennis  waved  the  flag  exultantly,  and  rushed  to  the  front. 
He  gained  the  edge  of  the  woods,  when  the  colors  went  down 
once  more.  I  ran  towards  the  spot,  seeing  the  flag  rise 
again  as  I  did  so ;  but  Dennis  no  longer  carried  them,  for 
I  found  him  stretched  on  the  ground,  his  face  bathed  in 
blood. 

"Where  are  you  hit,  Dennis?"  said  T,  bending  over  him. 

He  smiled  faintly,  and  put  his  hand  under  his  arm. 

"  Somewhere  in  me  side,"  said  he.  "  Bedad,  it  felt  like  a 
cannon-ball." 

"  Try  and  get  to  the  rear,  Dennis,  while  you  have  strength." 

"  I  suppose  I'd  betther,  but  I  hate  to  leave  ye,  captain  dear. 


336 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


Shure,  you  might  get  killed  without  me,"  said  Dennis,  half- 
whimpering  at  the  thought  of  our  parting. 

"  Come,  Dennis,  you  have  your  legs :  go  at  once  to  the  rear. 
Good-by,  old  fellow." 

"  Good-by,  and  God  bless  and  presarve  ye  !  "  cried  Dennis,  as 
I  once  more  ran  after  the  regiment. 


IN  THE  WILDERNESS. 


I  had  not  far  to  go ;  for  our  men,  having  discovered  the 
opposing  line,  began  pouring  in  a  fierce  and  destructive  return 
volley.  As  I  joined  my  company,  the  musketry  grew  fiercer  and 
fiercer ;  and  the  row  of  dead  and  dying  lying  about  our  feet 
rapidly  thickened.  Our  regiment  was  melting  away  in  the 
intense  heat  of  the  battle. 

Then  a  lull  came,  and  our  voices  were  audible.  Looking 
round,  I  saw  that  Major  Harding  was  by  my  side. 

"  My  God !  "   he  exclaimed,  "  this  is  dreadful.      We  won't 


A    CHANGE  IN   FORTUNE.  337 

have  a  man  standing  if  this  continues.  Why  don't  they  bring 
up  our  supports  ?  " 

"  Where  is  the  colonel  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Over  on  the  right,"  replied  the  major.  "  But  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Purcell  is  killed.     Where's  Burch  ?  " 

"  Here  !  "  answered  the  captain.     "  I'm  not  hit  yet,  but "  — 

As  he  uttered  the  words,  Burch  suddenly  reeled,  clapped  his 
liand  to  his  heart,  and  then,  turning  swiftly  round  like  a  top, 
fell  dead  between  the  major  and  myself.  His  dream  had 
indeed  been  fulfilled. 

Major  Harding's  face  wore  a  ghastly  look,  as  he  gazed,  horror- 
stricken,  at  the  body  of  his  friend. 

"  Major,"  said  a  sergeant  belonging  to  one  of  tlie  right  com- 
panies, "  Colonel  Llo}^!  has  just  been  killed.  The  adjutant 
sent  me  to  say  that  you  are  now  in  command.'' 

"  How  did  it  happen  ?  "  said  I,  seeing  that  the  major  could 
not  speak  for  the  moment. 

"  A  ball  clean  through  his  head,"  replied  the  sergeant  laconi- 
cally. 

"  Come,  Hai'ding  I  "  I  exclaimed,  laying  )ny  hand  on  his  arm, 
"  rouse  yourself.     What  are  we  to  do  next  ?  " 

"  We'll  go  to  the  rear,"  replied  the  major,  drawing  his  hand 
over  his  eyes  as  if  in  pain.  "It's  madness  to  stay  here  any 
longer,  for  they  are  not  supporting  us." 

While  si^eaking,  Major  Harding  touched  two  or  three  of  the 
men  nearest  him,  and  told  them  to  go  back.  They  obeyed,  and 
the  remainder  followed.  The  whole  line  wavered  for  an  instant, 
then  the  remnant  of  our  shattered  and  bleeding  regiment  began 
retreating  in  tolerably  fair  order.  Our  movement  was  the  signal 
for  a  withering  volley  from  the  enemy's  breastworks.  At  that 
moment  I  felt  a  sharp,  stinging  pain  flash  through  my  bod}^ : 
the  ground  seemed  to  rise  up  under  my  feet,  and  I  fell  at  full 
length  across  the  body  of  my  dead  captain.  I  tried  to  rise,  but 
my  strength  had  suddenly  left  me.  I  felt  the  blood  gush  from 
my  wound,  then  I  knew  no  more. 


338 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 


CROSSING   THE   LINE. 


A  contused  report  passed  through  my  ears; 
But  full  of  hurry,  like  a  morning  dream." 


HEN  I  recovered  consciousness,  I  saw  that  the 
Confederates  had  advanced  their  line  to  the 
edge  of  the  woods.      The  musketry  had  lost 
its  intensity,  but  the  air  was  filled  with  the 
'   groans  of  wounded  and  dying  men.      Disen- 
gaging myself  from  Captain  Burch's  corpse, 
I  made  an  effort  to  regain  my  feet ;  but  was 
too  weak  from  the  loss  of  blood,  so  fell  back 
to  the  earth  with  a  sigh  of  disappointment. 
"I   say,  sergeant,  this  'ere   Yankee   officer 
~-  ^—^  -?^'r  ain't  dead,  after  all.     Let's  pick  him  up,  and 

'  git  to  the  r'ar." 

As  the  man  spoke,  I  felt  myself  lifted  up ;  and  my  bearers 
moved  rapidly  through  the  trees.     I  was  a  prisoner ! 

The  men  who  carried  me  were  tender  in  their  handling,  and 
I  experienced  but  little  pain.  Then  I  saw  that  we  were  in  a 
road;  and  by  and  by  the  men  laid  me  down  by  the  side  of 
a  creek,  among  a  lot  of  their  own  wounded. 

"  Why,  it's  Captain  Wilmot !  "  exclaimed  a  voice. 
Looking  round,  I  saw  the  speaker  was  a  sergeant  belonging 
to  the  company  next  my  own. 
"  Are  you  wounded  too  ?  "  said  I. 

"  No,  I  didn't  get  hit ;  but  a  good  many  of  us  were  gobbled 
by  a  flanking-party,"  replied  the  sergeant. 


CROSSING    THE  LINE.  339 

"  Is  Major  Harding  a  prisoner?"  was  my  next  question. 

"  Oh,  no !  He  got  off  safe.  But  there's  not  more  than  a 
hundred  of  the  regiment  to  answer  roll-calJ.  I  say,  captain, 
they're  going  to  send  the  prisoners  to  the  rear  soon ;  and  I  hear 
there's  a  Confederate  hospital  somewhere  down  the  road.  Shall 
Ave  carry  you  there  ?  "  and  the  sergeant  bent  over  me  anxiously, 
forgetting  his  own  trouble  for  the  moment. 

"  I  don't  care :  if  you  like,"  was  my  somewhat  ungracious 
reply ;  for  T  had  lost  all  interest  as  to  my  fate. 

Sergeant  Hughes  said  something  to  a  Confederate  officer  near 
him,  when  the  latter  replied,  — 

"  It's  the  best  thing  you  can  do  for  him :  we  have  no 
surgeons  here." 

In  a  few  minutes  every  thing  was  ready  for  the  prisoners  to 
start ;  when  the  sergeant  and  some  more  men  belonging  to  my 
regiment  lifted  me  in  a  blanket,  and  followed  the  rest.  The 
easy  motion  of  being  carried  soothed  my  pain ;  and,  as  my 
bearers  were  constantly  changed  by  willing  hands,  our  progress 
was  rapid.  I  learned,  as  we  went,  that  the  hospital  was  at 
Locust  Grove,  a  place  I  remembered  having  seen  during  the 
Mine-run  movement. 

The  sun  was  sinking  behind  the  trees,  near  a  cluster  of  negro- 
huts,  when  I  was  tenderly  laid  on  the  sward  by  the  roadside. 
Looking  up,  I  saw  we  had  reached  my  destination. 

"  Good-by,  captain,"  said  Sergeant  Hughes,  as  he  wrung 
my  hand  earnestly.  Then  the  column  of  prisoners  moved  on 
down  the  road.     I  was  alone. 

A  curious  crowd  of  men  gathered  round  me ;  and  as  I  lay  on 
the  grass,  making  a  sling  for  my  arm  which  had  been  struck  by 
a  bullet,  I  gleaned  from  their  talk  that  they  belonged  to  Gen- 
eral Ewell's  artillery  reserve.  Like  us,  the  Confederates  had 
found  their  cannon  practically  useless  in  these  dense  forests. 
Then  the  group  suddenly  separated  as  a  mounted  officer  rode 
up :  one  of  the  men  helped  me  to  my  feet  at  his  command. 

"  What  part  of  your  army  do  you  belong  to,  sir  ?  "  he  asked. 


340 


BULLET  AND  SHELL. 


"  The  Fifth  Corps,"  I  replied. 

"Who  commands  it  now?" 

"  General  Warren." 

"  How  many  men  has  lie  ?  "  was  the  next  question. 

"Forty  or  fifty  thousand,"  said  I,  purposely  exaggerating 
the  number. 

"Indeed!  so  many  as  that?  How  many,  then,  have  you  in 
tlie  whole  army  ?  " 


GENERAL  LEE  AND  THE   PKISONEK. 


"  Two  or  three  hundred  thousand,"  I  replied  with  a  laugh. 

"Now  you  are  simply  joking,"  said  the  stranger  quietly. 
"  Tell  me,  is  it  true  that  General  Grant  is  in  command  of  your 
forces  ?  " 

"  He  is  with  the  army,  sir ;  l)ut  we  understand  General  Meade 
commands  it." 

"  That  amounts  to  the  same  thing,"  remarked  the  officer  in 
a  musing  tone.  "  But  tell  me,  sir,  how  many  men  have  you 
really,  this  side  of  the  River  Rapidan  ? " 

"  Excuse  me,  sir,"  I  replied :  "  I  know  I  am  a  prisoner  in  your 


CROSSING    THE  LINE.  341 

hands,  wounded  and  helpless ;  but  that  fact  gives  you  no  right 
to  question  nie  as  you  are  doing.  I  have  already  answered 
more  of  your  questions  than  my  duty  to  my  flag  permits.  You 
can  not  expect  me  to  give  you  any  information  regarding  our 
army  or  its  strength." 

^'  You  are  quite  right,  sir,"  replied  the  officer  sadly.  "  I  beg 
your  pardon :  good-night." 

As  the  speaker  uttered  the  last  words,  he  bowed  gravely,  and, 
putting  spurs  to  his  horse,  was  soon  out  of  sight. 

"Who  was  that?"  I  exclaimed,  as  the  artillerists  gathered 
about  me  once  more. 

"  General  Robert  E.  Lee,  who  commands  the  Army  of  North- 
ern Virginia,"  replied  a  fine-looking  sergeant  leaning  against 
the  trunk  of  the  locust-tree  behind  me. 

General  Lee!  the  famous  Confederate  leader!  So  I  had 
really  spoken  to  that  brave  and  gallant  soldier. 

The  night  was  now  falling  fast,  and  I  began  to  feel  very  stiff 
and  cold.  No  one  had,  as  yet,  been  near  me  to  see  if  I  needed 
surgical  assistance.  The  artillery  had  meanwhile  moved  away 
with  their  guns,  and  there  seemed  to  be  no  large  bodies  of 
troops  near.  Groans  came  to  my  ears ;  but  I  heeded  them  not, 
my  own  trouble  and  pain  making  me  selfish.  Then  I  heard  the 
sound  of  horses'  hoofs,  and,  rising  on  my  elbows,  saw  a  column 
of  cavalry  move  slowly  down  the  road  until  they  were  a  few 
hundred  yards  away,  when  they  passed  off  on  a  side-path 
towards  the  right  of  their  line.  They  were  evidently  moving 
towards  our  left,  in  anticipation  of  the  battle  of  the  morrow. 
The  force  was  a  strong  one,  probably  four  thousand  men  ;  and, 
as  it  passed,  I  noticed  several  leading  riderless  liorses,  showing 
that  they  had  recently  been  in  action. 

Though  my  disabled  arm  was  quite  troublesome,  there  was 
a  sharper  pain  somewhere  in  mv  thigh ;  and  I  knew  by  it  that  I 
had  there  sustained  the  most  serious  wound.  I  noticed  that 
one  of  the  tassels  of  my  silken  sash  was  hanging  by  a  few 
threads,  and  putting  my  hand  down,  found  that  the  cloth  of 


342  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

my  pantaloons  was  stiff  with  dried  blood.  I  then  essayed  to 
rise,  and  succeeded  in  getting  on  my  feet  for  a  moment ;  but  I 
was  still  very  weak,  so  was  glad  to  lie  down  again. 

The  night  air  grew  colder  and  colder ;  and  I  began  to  shiver 
and  tremble,  for  I  had  no  blanket.  Seeing  an  open  shed  near 
b}^  I  decided  to  try  and  reach  it :  I  might  get  away  from  the 
wind  that  was  rising.  Unable  to  walk,  I  crawled  slowly  along 
on  mj^  hands  and  knees,  and  finally  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
shed.  As  I  crept  over  the  ground,  the  odd  notion  came  into 
my  head  that  I  must  be  cutting  a  funny  figure ;  and  I  began 
laugliing  at  the  idea.  In  the  shed  I  found  eight  or  ten  other 
wounded  men,  all  Federals. 

"I  wish  we  had  a  fire,"  remarked  one  of  the  men,  as  I 
crawled  in  among  them. 

"Don't  you  wish  you  were  safe  at  home  with  your  mother?" 
replied  another  mockingly. 

"  I've  some  matches,"  said  I.     "  Can  we  get  any  wood  ?  " 

"  Yes,  here's  a  lot  of  old  barrels,"  said  the  first  speaker. 

"  Break  up  one  of  them,  and  we  will  soon  have  a  fire ;  "  and, 
as  I  spoke,  I  struck  a  light. 

The  order  was  promptly  obeyed ;  for  the  men  saw  my  shoul- 
der-strap in  the  blaze  of  my  match,  and  the  habit  of  discipline 
was  still  strong  upon  them.  In  a  few  moments  the  fire  was 
lighted,  and  we  all  huddled  round  the  cheerful  blaze.  No  one 
seemed  to  be  noticing  us,  and  I  began  to  think  we  had  been 
forgotten  or  abandoned  by  our  captors.  The  light  of  our  fire 
attracted  more  wounded  Federals,  and  they  made  a  second  one 
near  by.  Most  of  the  men  had  their  haversacks,  and  munched 
crackers  contentedly  as  they  reclined  before  the  burning  bar- 
rels :  but  one  poor  fellow  near  me  had  no  food ;  and  though  his 
head  was  bloody,  and  his  face  matted  with  dirt,  I  could  see  he 
was  hungrily  watching  those  who  were  eating.  Drawing  three 
or  four  biscuits  from  luy  own  haversack,  I  quietly  put  them 
into  his  hand.  He  took  them  greedily,  apparently  too  hungry 
to  think  of  thanking  me. 


CEOSSING    THE  LINE. 


343 


We  were  a  rather  crrewsome  lot  of  fellows ;  for  there  was  not 
a  s.umd  man  among  us,  and  our  wounds  were  becoming  stiff 
and  sore.  Opposite  me  sat  a  tall  sergeant,  the  chevrons  on  his 
rio-ht  sleeve  being  half  ripped  off  by  the  bullet  which  had  shat- 
tel'ed  his  arm.  Beside  him  sat  a  stunted  specimen  of  humanity, 
with  an  enormous  beard  spread  all  over  his  face,  as  if  nature 
had  sought  to  make  him  some  recompense  for  his  abbreviated 
stature ;  but  though  the  beard  ordinarily  hid  his  face  to  the 
eyes,  it  was  now  parted  on  one  cheek  by  a  gleaming  cicatrice, 
like  the  mark  of  a  tornado  I  had  once  seen  on  the  mountains 
near  Aldie  Gap.  One  had  his  temples  bound  up  with  a  dirty 
handkerchief  i  which  did  not  prevent  the  blood  trickling  down 
his  face  to  the  corner  of  his  mouth,  from  which  he  wiped  it  with 
his  cuff  the  better  to  masticate  his  food.  Another  poor  fellow 
had  been  wounded  in  both  arms ;  and  it  was  painful  to  see  him 
try  to  get  a  cracker  to  his  mouth,  only  succeeding  when  a 
companton,  noticing  his  plight,  held  it  up  for  him  to  bite. 

I  sat  in  this  way  for  some  time  watching  my  neighbors, 
content  to  be  awake  and  enjoy  the  warmth  of  the  fire ;  but  I 
felt  lonely  and  sorrowful,  for  I  missed  the  companionship  of 
Dennis,  of  whose  fate  I  was  ignorant.  I  could  only  hope  he 
had  escaped  to  the  rear  of  our  lines  without  further  wounds ; 
and,  as  1  thought  of  the  ample  means  provided  by  the  Sanitary 
Commission  for  the  care  of  our  wounded,  I  envied  the  lot  of 
those  lucky  enough  to  fall  into  its  hands.  The  death  of  poor 
Ned  Biirch  also  depressed  me,  for  I  could  not  forget  that  his 
body  was  lying  on  the  field  unburied  where  he  had  fallen.  I 
was'  stunned  by  the  sudden  reverse  in  my  fortunes,  for  it 
seemed  terrible  that  one  short  day  could  bring  about  such 
changes.  Hitherto  I  had  mostly  seen  the  brighter  aspect  of 
military  life :  now  I  was  to  experience  the  darker  and  more 
painful  side. 

The  main  body  of  the  Confederate  army  was  evidently 
changing  front  towards  their  right;  for  every  few  minutes  a 
staff-officer    or    mounted    orderly    would    go    galloping    past, 


344  BULLET  AND    SHELL. 

following  the  road  the  cavalry  column  had  taken.  Now  and 
again  a  sullen  volley  of  musketry,  with  the  occasional  shriek 
of  a  shell,  came  to  my  attentive  ear  from  that  direction. 

I  had  looked  at  my  watch,  and  saw  it  was  after  nine  o'clock, 
when  a  cavalryman  leaped  off  his  horse  and  approached  our  fire. 

"  Well,  you-uns,  we-uns  hev  licked  you-uns  agin,"  said  he, 
rudely  shoving  his  way  among  the  men  nearest  him. 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  said  I. 

"Why,  the  Yanks  be  all  running  away." 

"  I  don't  believe  it :  if  they  were,  you  wouldn't  be  here,"  I 
replied. 

"Never  mind  him,  captain:  he  only  says  that  to  annoy  us," 
remarked  the  sergeant  with  the  torn  chevroiis. 

"  Waal,  I  s'pose  you  won't  b'lieve  me,  but  yer  hull  army 
hev  gone  'cross  the  river,"  said  the  man  as  he  lighted  his  corn- 
cob pipe  and  stalked  away  to  his  horse. 

"  Do  you  think  our  army  has  really  retreated?"  said  one  of 
our  men,  after  the  Confederate  had  ridden  away  in  the  dark- 
ness. 

"  No,"  I  replied ,  "  but  the  engagement  has  probably  gone 
against  us  to-day." 

Early  in  the  evening  I  had  been  informed  by  the  artillery- 
men, that  they  thought  our  army  had  fallen  back;  but  I  did  not 
believe  it  possible.  Could  it  be  that  Grant  had  retired  his 
right  wing,  and  extended  his  line  towards  the  left,  in  hopes  of 
turning  Lee's  flank?  the  ominous  mutterings  in  that  direction 
seemed  to  warrant  such  an  idea.  I  tried  to  piece  out  the  puz- 
zle, but  could  not.  One  of  the  men  sitting  at  our  fire  belonged 
to  the  Sixth  Corps ;  and  he  told  us  of  their  heavy  losses,  and 
several  of  the  other  men  had  seen  two  of  the  Fifth  Corps 
brigadiers  among  the  prisoners.  We  had  therefore  suffered 
very  heavily  all  along  the  line,  and  my  poor  regiment  was 
reduced  to  a  mere  fragment.  If  Sergeant  Hughes  was  correct, 
fully  three-fourths  of  the  six  hundred  men  who  began  that  fatal 
charge  were  dead,  wounded,  or  prisoners. 


CnOSSING    THE  LINE.  345 

"  I  say,  captain/"  said  my  liungry  friend,  "I've  got  a  blanket: 
suppose  you  and  me  turn  in  together." 

Accepting  the  offer  with  gladness,  we  rolled  ourselves  in  the 
blanket,  and,  despite  our  hurts,  were  soon  fast  asleep. 

Soon  after  daylight  we  were  roused  by  the  provost-guard, 
who  had  at  length  come  to  look  after  us.  As  I  sat  up,  and 
gave  my  name  and  rank  to  the  sergeant,  I  could  distinguish 
the  sound  of  distant  musketry,  showing  that  fighting  had  again 
l)cgun.  Then  the  sullen  boom  of  a  field-piece,  followed  by 
heavier  musketry,  gave  token  that  Grant  was  still  at  Lee's 
heels. 

As  it  was  evident  that  we  were  all  severely  wounded,  the 
provost-sergeant,  himself  a  cripple  from  an  old  shell-wound, 
contented  himself  with  taking  our  names,  at  the  same  time 
good-naturedly  pointing  out  the  location  of  a  spring.  A  few 
who  could  walk  volunteered  to  fill  the  canteens  of  those  that 
were  helpless;  and  George  Michel,  my  bedfellow,  shared  my 
few  remaining  biscuits. 

Our  scanty  breakfast  over,  I  stretched  myself  in  the  warm 
sunshine,  and  watched  the  progress  of  events.  There  were 
thirty  or  forty  tents  standing  in  the  field ;  while  the  wounded 
present,  both  Confederate  and  Federal,  numbered  probably 
three  or  four  thousand.  We  Yankees  (and  I  thought  of  Tom 
Marshall  whenever  the  word  was  uttered)  were  given  posses- 
sion of  all  the  sheds;  and  we  managed  to  make  ourselves  toler- 
ably comfortable,  there  being  a  small  quantity  of  straw.  The 
ambulances,  having  been  sent  to  the  abandoned  battle-field, 
brought  back  loads  of  knapsacks,  blankets,  and  overcoats  from 
our  dead.  The  provost-sergeant  brought  me  an  entire  kit, 
so  I  felt  rich  in  my  possessions.  In  the  knapsack  were  a 
few  letters  written  by  a  woman,  from  Avhich  I  learned  that  a 
Confederate  bullet  had  widowed  the  writer  while  she  was  yet 
a  maid.  Her  photograph  was  tied  up  with  the  letters,  all  of 
which  I  put  away  to  be  returned  if  fate  so  willed.  After 
bringing  up  the  knapsacks,  the  ambulances  proceeded  to  collect 


346 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


muskets  and  side-arms,  and  the  guns  were  thrown  in  an  indis- 
criminate heap  near  our  sheds.  This  part  of  the  plunder  had 
no  interest  for  us,  however ;  though  the  time  was  to  come  when 
its  presence  could  not  be  ignored. 

The  musketry  on  the  right  of  the  Confederate  lines  grew 
louder  and  fiercer,  as  the  hour  of  noon  approached  ;  but  I  could 
learn  nothing  as  to  the  scope  of  this  new  movement  or  its 
probable  result,  so  lay  listening  to  the  repeated  volleys,  as 
they  rose  and  fell  in  regular  cadence,  vaguely  imagining  the 


\MON(      nil     WOLNDIL), — C  OM  LDLIvATL,  Hual  li  iL 

scene  of  conflict  in  progress.  Unlike  the  battle  of  the  previous 
day,  the  cannonading  was  stronger  and  more  continuous ;  the 
rolling  artillery-fire  being  at  times  monotonous  in  its  intensity 
and  vigor,  showing  that  the  struggle  was  a  savage  one,  and 
hotly  contested.  It  seemed  curious  to  be  so  near  a  battle-field, 
yet  unable  to  participate  in  it ;  and  the  bitter  thought  was 
forced  upon  me  that  I  was  a  helpless  prisoner  inside  the  Con- 
federate lines.  During  the  afternoon  I  began  to  feel  very 
hungry,  but  learned,  to  my  disma3%  that  there  was  no  food, 
not  even  for  the  Confederate  wounded :  so  Michel  and  I  fasted. 


CROSSING    THE  LINE.  347 

The  wound  in  my  thigh  pained  me  a  good  deal ;  but  the  ball 
came  out,  and  the  bleeding  ceased.  As  yet  no  one  had  at- 
tempted to  dress  our  wounds,  the  medical  resources  of  the 
Confederates  being  remarkably  slender. 

"  How  are  you  getting  along,  gentlemen  ?  "  said  the  provost- 
sergeant  politely,  as  he  limped  along  the  line  of  our  sheds. 

"  Pretty  well,"  said  one  of  the  men.  "But  we  are  awfully 
hungry  :  can't  you  give  us  something  to  eat  ?  " 

"  We  expect  supplies  to-night  from  Gordonsville,"  replied  the 
sergeant.     "  You  are  not  worse  off  than  our  own  wounded." 

"  How  is  the  battle  going,  sergeant  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  I  dunno.  We  thought  last  night  your  army  had  gone  back 
over  the  river,  as  the  line  in  front  of  Germanna  Ford  was  gone  ; 
but  it  appears  that  they  went  off  to  the  left  of  their  line,  and 
now  General  Lee  is  fighting  Grant  —  that  Western  general  of 
yours—  at  Spottsylvania." 

So  this  was  the  key  to  the  situation.  Grant  intended  to  force 
his  way  towards  Richmond,  and,  if  baffled  in  driving  Lee  back 
by  direct  assault,  would  push  out  his  left. 

No  food  coming  that  evening,  we  went  to  bed  supperless; 
and  I  slept  a  little,  despite  the  soreness  of  my  thigh.  Many  of 
the  men  near  me  were  beginning  to  feel  the  severity  of  their 
hurts,  and  a  good  deal  of  groaning  occurred  through  the  night. 

We  were  not  disturbed  until  long  after  the  sun  had  risen, 
when  word  came  that  corn-meal  and  bacon  would  be  served 
out.  The  ration  turned  out  to  be  a  very  small  one,  judged  by 
Federal  standards ;  but  it  was  better  than  nothing.  We  made 
a  thick  gruel  of  the  meal  in  our  coffee-cups  ;  the  bacon  —  a  mere 
slice  —  serving  as  salt.  But  we  missed  our  coffee,  and  I  thought 
of  Dennis  and  his  culinary  zeal  with  feelings  of  regret. 

All  sounds  of  the  contending  armies  had  now  died  away : 
the  air  was  undisturbed  by  musket  or  cannon.  Tliis  silence, 
however,  only  lasted  until  about  noon  ;  when  it  was  broken  by 
sounds  of  a  furious  battle,  evidently  near  the  scene  of  the 
previous  day's  engagement.     It  lasted  until  after  sunset,  when 


348  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

the  firing  suddenly  ceased ;  and  after  that  we  heard  nothing 
from  either  army.     We  were  forgotten. 

During  the  afternoon  we  were  gladdened  by  the  appearance 
of  Surgeon  Donovan  of  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  he  having 
voluntarily  come  through  the  lines  under  a  flag  of  truce  to  look 
after  us.  The  doctor  was  a  character.  Short  in  stature,  his 
red  hair  cropped  close  to  his  head  while  his  fier}^  beard  was 
allowed  to  grow  luxuriantly,  he  looked  like  any  thing  but  a 
skillful  surgeon.  His  uniform  consisted  of  a  velvet  pea-jacket, 
and  a  pair  of  corduroy  pantaloons  which  fitted  tightly  to  his 
well-formed  legs,  and  permitted  his  wearing  a  huge  pair  of  tan- 
colored  boots  reaching  to  his  waist.  Making  his  rounds  in  a 
cheerful  way  that  was  very  engaging,  the  doctor  soon  ascer- 
tained our  condition,  and  selected  those  who  must  undergo 
immediate  amputation.  To  my  unspeakable  gratification,  I 
learned  that  the  wound  in  my  thigh,  though  severe,  was  only 
in  the  flesh,  the  bones  being  uninjured. 

"  Wash  it  well,  and  you  will  be  all  right  in  time,"  said  the 
surgeon  to  me,  as  he  passed  on  to  the  next  man. 

The  ambulance-trains  were  now  removing  the  Confederate 
wounded  to  Gordonsville,  and  we  received  a  better  ration  of 
meal  and  bacon.  During  the  next  four  or  five  days,  all  of 
Lee's  men  had  been  carried  away,  and  our  men  were  given 
the  tents,  but  a  few  of  us  clung  to  the  huts.  Several  barrels 
of  flour  came :  when  some  of  our  men  pulled  down  an  old 
chimney,  and  built  a  rude  oven  in  the  side  of  a  bank;  and 
another,  who  was  a  baker,  made  us  some  palatable  bread. 
Death  now  appeared  in  our  midst,  and  a  little  graveyard  was 
begun  on  a  hill  behind  the  dilapidated  tavern.  The  saw  and 
the  knife  were  busy,  and  Surgeon  Donovan's  arms  were  for 
hours  bathed  in  blood.  Then  came  a  new  horror ;  for  the  wind, 
changing,  brought  with  it  the  terrible  odor  of  putrefying  flesh 
from  the  battle-field,  where  we  knew  thousands  of  our  dead 
comrades  were  still  unburied. 

That  night,  while  Michel  and  I  were  lying  "with  our  com- 


CBOSSING    THE  LINE.  349 

panions  in  the  shed,  the  pile  of  muskets  caught  fire  in  some 
mysterious  way ;  and  a  scattering,  indiscriminate  volley  began, 
as  the  guns  became  heated,  and  discharged  their  contents. 
Expecting  to  be  hit  every  moment,  for  the  bullets  were  flying 
in  every  conceivable  direction,  yet  afraid  to  move  away  lest  we 
fall  into  greater  danger,  we  cowered  beneath  our  blankets  until 
the  woodwork  on  the  weapons  had  been  consumed.  A  man 
lying  near  me  was  killed  outright  by  one  of  these  stray  balls, 
and  I  heard  the  next  day  that  two  or  three  others  had  received 
fresh  wounds.  The  pile  of  muskets  were,  however,  useless  to 
the  enemy :  so  we  took  some  comfort  in  that. 

Thus  the  time  passed  for  three  long  weeks.  The  graveyard 
grew  in  size ;  and  the  men  around  me  were  weaker,  owing  to 
the  scarcity  of  succulent  food  and  the  lack  of  stimulants. 
Doctor  Donovan  labored  manfully,  and  won  our  love  and 
admiration  by  his  tenderness  and  devotion. 

We  heard  that  our  army  had  pushed  on  towards  Richmond, 
though  our  guards  were  very  reticent  regarding  the  results  or 
progress  of  the  campaign.  I  inferred  from  this  that  the  Con- 
federates were  losing  ground ;  but  I  soon  ceased  to  take  any 
interest  in  the  movements  of  Grant  or  Lee,  my  whole  mind 
being  fixed  on  plans  for  escaping.  One  day  poor  Michel,  who 
I  had  ascertained  was  a  Canadian,  grew  worse  i  and  it  was 
evident  that  death  was  near  him. 

"  Oh,  ray  God !  Am  I  going  to  die  ?  "  he  exclaimed  in  a 
voice  of  terror. 

"  I  hope  not,  George,"  said  I.     "  But  you  are  very  weak." 

"  Oh,  don't  let  me  die  !  I've  got  a  mother  who's  waiting  for 
me.  —  My  mother  !  shall  I  never  see  you  again  ?  " 

"Come,  come,  my  man,"  said  Surgeon  Donovan.  "Don't 
go  on  in  that  way.  We  can  not  save  you,  but  don't  grieve 
so." 

"But  I  won't  die,"  cried  Michel:  "I  want  to  live.  My 
mother  wants  me.  My  God!  what  will  she  do  without  me? 
I  must  go  over  the  river  to  meet  her." 


350  BULLET  AND   SUELL. 

"  Poor  fellow !  he's  going  over  the  river,  sure  enough,"  said 
the  surgeon  jntjdngly. 

Michel  lay  quiet  for  a  moment :  then  his  throat  began  to 
rattle,  and  with  a  sudden  spasm  all  was  over. 

The  death  of  my  quondam  comrade  affected  me  greatly ;  and 
1  limped  out  of  the  shed,  anxious  only  to  get  away  from  the 
dead.  I  had  not  gone  many  steps  when  I  was  confronted  by  a 
tall  Confederate  officer.  On  my  looking  up  our  eyes  met,  and 
once  more  Tom  Marshall  and  I  stood  before  each  other. 


THE  ACCOUNTS  BALANCED. 


351 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


THE  ACCOUNTS   BALANCED. 


'I  would  bring  balm,  and  pour  it  in  your  wound, 
Cure  your  distempered  mind,  and  heal  your  fortunes." 


KNEW  you  were  here,  Frank,"  said  Tom 
quietly  as  we  shook  hands.  "I  saw  your 
name  on  the  hospital-register,  so  was  looking 

my     wlSm\&       "Yes,    Tom,    I'm    here    safe    enough.     The 
'  I/^f^^m  .  ill  tables  are  turned  now.     I  am  the  prisoner,  not 
you,"  I  replied  sadly. 

'  "  By  heavens  !  you  won't  be  a  prisoner  long, 
if  I  can  help  it,"  exclaimed  Tom. 

"  But   you  can  not   help  it,"  said    I  some- 
what bitterly.      "We  are  not  on  the  picket- 
line  in  the  darkness  now." 
"  Frank  Wilmot !    I  owe  you  a  debt  of  gratitude,  and  I'm 
going  to  pay  it,"  cried  Tom  in  an  impetuous  way  that  reminded 
me  of  our  college  days. 

"  I  don't  doubt  your  willingness  to  cancel  the  obligation,  but 
how  can  you  do  it  ?  " 

"  You  shall  see,"  he  replied  confidently. 

"  How  came  you  in  this  out-of-the-Avay  place  ?  "  said  I  as  we 
sat  down  together  under  one  of  the  locust-trees  that  fringed 
the  main  road.     "  Why  are  you  away  from  the  army  ?  " 

"I've  been  over  in  our  valley,"  responded  Tom.  "I  don't 
mind  telling  you,  Frank,  that  we  are  hard  pressed  for  men  just 
now.     Grant,  that  new  general  of  yours,  fights  like  a  bulldog. 


352  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

He  never  lets  go  his  hold.  So  I  was  sent  to  the  Valley  to  order 
back  some  reinforcements,  and  am  now  returning  to  Richmond. 
Sutherland,  the  hospital-steward  here,  belongs  in  the  Valley 
too :  so  I  have  stopped  over  for  the  night.  He  showed  me  the 
list  of  prisoners  just  now,  and  your  name  was  almost  the  first 
one  I  read." 

"  Are  they  all  well  at  the  homestead  ?  "  I  asked. 

Tom's  face  changed  for  a  moment,  and  he  dug  the  grass  with 
his  spurs  as  if  my  question  had  caused  him  pain. 

"  Mother  is  dead,"  he  said  at  last,  in  a  low  voice.  "  We  lost 
her  last  winter." 

I  clasped  Tom's  hand  in  silence  ;  and,  as  our  fingers  tightened, 
the  old  bond  of  friendship  was  strengthened. 

"  Yes,  mother  died  just  before  Christmas,"  continued  Tom, 
when  he  had  recovered  from  his  emotion.  "  You  know  she  was 
never  very  strong,  and  this  cruel  war  tried  her  sorely.  Con- 
stantly changing  in  military  ownership,  the  Valley  has  been  by 
no  means  a  peaceful  spot ;  and  poor  mother  felt  the  strain  very 
much.  When  winter  began  to  set  in,  she  just  pined  away  and 
left  us." 

"  And  your  sister  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Oh !  Kate  is  all  right,  though  not  the  saucy,  wayward  girl 
as  you  no  doubt  remember  her.  She  seldom  smiles  now.  Ah, 
Frank !  this  war  has  borne  heavily  on  the  women  of  the  South  ;  " 
and  Tom  shook  his  head  sadly  as  he  spoke. 

"  The  women  on  both  sides  have  suffered  greatly,"  I  replied : 
"the  struggle  has  been  so  bitter.  But  I  can  readily  believe 
that  the  Southern  women  have  had  the  hardest  trials." 

"  But  now  about  your  escape.  I  must  manage  it  somehow," 
said  Tom,  changing  the  subject,  at  the  same  time  looking  about 
him  to  see  that  we  were  out  of  hearing. 

"  I  can  not  see  how  it  is  to  be  done,"  said  I.  "  Your  men 
here  on  guard  tell  me  that  the  Rapidan  is  carefully  watched  by 
your  cavalry,  and  that  they  hold  all  the  fords." 

Tom  laughed  loudly,  evidently  amused  at  my  words. 


TUE  ACCOUNTS  BALANCED.  353 

"  Bless  your  lieart,  boy  !  Do  you  imagine  we  could  spare  as 
many  men  as  that  would  imply  ?  Of  course  there  are  a  few 
cavalry  scouts  along  the  river,  but  there  are  plenty  of  fords 
where  you  could  cross  unseen." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  so,"  said  I ;  "  for  I  am  still  too 
weak  for  a  swim.  Had  I  known  the  true  state  of  affairs,  I 
would  have  attempted  an  escape  long  before  this.  But  it  is 
too  late  now.  They  talk  of  sending  us  farther  South  in  a  few 
days." 

"  You  will  not  go  a  mile  farther  South  than  you  are  at  pres- 
ent, if  I  can  do  any  thing  to  prevent  it,"  cried  Tom  passionately. 
"Why,  Frank,  Kate  woidd  never  forgive  me  if  I  permitted 
you  to  remain  a  prisoner,  after  the  service  you  rendered  me  at 
Gettysburg." 

"Does  she  know?" 

"  To  be  sure  she  does.  You  don't  suppose  I  would  keep  that 
event  a  secret  from  those  at  home  ?  " 

"What  rank  do  you  hold  now?"  said  I,  turning  over  his 
embroidered  sleeve  to  change  the  conversation.  "  I  never 
could  make  out  your  Confederate  insignia." 

"I  am  a  lieutenant-colonel  now,"  replied  Tom  rather  proudly. 
"  If  this  war  lasts  much  longer,  I  may  yet  be  a  general :  who 
knows  ?  " 

"  And  I'm  only  a  captain." 

"  Promotion  comes  more  quickly  with  us,"  said  he.  "  Why, 
my  regiment  has  lost  three  colonels  this  campaign.  But  that 
has  nothing  to  do  with  your  escape.  You  must  start  this  very 
night,  so  we  have  no  time  to  lose." 

Tom  Marshall  had  evidently  learned  one  thing  by  his  army 
experience,  —  the  necessity  of  decisive  action.  Rapidly  and 
clearly  he  began  sketching  out  a  plan  of  operations.  Suther- 
land, the  steward,  would  furnish  a  pass,  he  having  in  his  pos- 
session a  few  signed  in  blank  by  General  Ewell ;  and  Tom  would 
get  him  to  promise  not  to  report  my  disappearance  until  two  or 
three  days  had  elapsed.     Tom  also  announced  that  he  had  pro- 


354  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

cared  a  spare  uniform  which  would  serve  as  a  disguise ;  for,  after 
crossing  the  Rapidan,  I  was  to  proceed  along  the  foot  of  the 
mountains,  in  the  character  of  a  wounded  Confederate  soldier 
going  home  on  furlough.  This  would  enable  me  to  pass  un- 
hindered, and  be  a  claim  for  assistance ;  all  of  the  people  in  that 
section  being  naturally  in  warm  sympathy  with  the  Southern 
cause.  Tom  laughingly  assigned  me  to  his  own  regiment,  the 
Third  Virginia ;  and  wrote  down  the  names  of  the  officers,  as 
well  as  a  few  enlisted  men,  with  some  other  pertinent  details, 
for  me  to  learn,  and  repeat  in  case  I  was  troubled  with  curious 
questions.  He  also  gave  me  some  Confederate  money,  and 
mapped  out  my  route  as  far  as  Warrenton. 

"  When  you  get  that  far,"  said  he,  "  you  know  the  country 
as  well  as  I  do ;  and  can  then  make  your  way  to  Centerville  by 
the  Aldie  road.  But  I  must  go  and  see  Sutherland  now.  We 
have  no  time  to  lose,  as  every  thing  must  be  in  readiness  by 
dusk." 

"  Are  you  sure  of  Sutherland's  co-operation  ?  " 

"  Quite  certain.  He  already  understands  my  plans,  and  fully 
enters  into  them." 

I  remained  seated  at  the  foot  of  the  tree,  after  Tom  had  left 
me ;  feeling  rejoiced  at  the  prospect  of  escaping  a  prison,  and 
reflecting  on  the  many  ties  that  were  binding  Tom  and  me 
together.  The  glimpse  I  gained  of  Kate's  sentiments  towards 
me,  from  Tom's  words,  brought  a  sense  of  exquisite  pleasure  to 
my  heart ;  and  I  was  indeed  very  happy.  Hearing  a  step  behind 
me,  I  turned,  and  saw  the  tremendous  boots  of  our  surgeon 
approaching. 

"What  are  you  dreaming  about,  Wilmot?"  said  he.  "  You 
seem  to  be  basking  in  the  sun  like  a  cat." 

"  I  was  thinking  of  home,  doctor,"  I  replied. 

"I'm  sorry  to  disturb  such  thoughts,  but  I've  come  to  tell  you 
that  the  ambulances  will  be  here  before  morning.  To-morrow 
all  but  the  amputation  cases  are  to  go  South." 

"  Doctor,  can  you  keep  a  secret  ?  "  I  asked. 


THE  ACCOUNTS  BALANCED.  355 

"  If  it's  worth  keeping,"  he  replied. 

"  Then  you  need  not  be  astonished  if  I  am  missing  to-morrow." 

The  surgeon  gave  a  low  whistle  of  surprise. 

"  Fm  mighty  glad  of  it,"  said  he.  "•  But  I'm  afraid  you  won't 
be  able  to  cross  the  fords:  you  know  they  are  all  guarded." 

"  Never  fear,  I'll  get  through,"  said  I.  "  Just  forget  to  report 
my  absence,  for  I  want  to  get  a  good  start." 

"  Report  you  ?  Do  you  think  I'd  bother  myself  about  that  ? 
Why,  if  half  the  men  ran  away,  I'd  pretend  not  to  notice  their 
absence  !  Report  you,  indeed !  "  he  repeated,  his  face  as  red  as 
his  beard  with  indignation. 

"  All  right,  doctor :  then  I'm  safe." 

"  But  do  you  expect  that  the  Confederates  won't  miss  you  ? 
They're  sure  to  do  so." 

"  Oh !  I've  got  friends,  and  have  no  fears  on  that  score,"  I 
replied. 

"  Ah,  ha  !  that's  the  way  the  land  lies,  does  it  ?  Then  I  tell 
you  what :  when  you  get  to  Washington,  let  them  know  I'm 
here  with  the  boys.  Maybe  they  will  send  out  after  us.  I  wish 
you  luck,  Wilmot,  with  all  my  soul ; "  and  the  surgeon,  after 
warmly  shaking  my  hand,  stumped  away  in  his  preposterous 
boots  to  arrange  for  poor  Michel's  burial. 

The  hospital-steward  entered  heartily  into  Tom's  scheme, 
though  he  was  prudent  enough  to  keep  away  from  me.  In- 
deed, even  Tom  and  I  did  not  meet  again  until  after  nightfall, 
our  rendezvous  being  the  locust-tree. 

"  Come  !  "  said  he  in  a  whisper,  as  soon  as  I  appeared. 

Keeping  Tom  in  sight,  I  followed  him  down  a  side-road  that 
ran  to  the  rear  of  the  tavern,  and  entered  the  woods  a  few 
hundred  yards  beyond.  Once  in  the  shadow  of  the  trees,  Tom 
slackened  his  pace,  and  waited  for  me  to  come  up. 

"  Here  are  your  things,"  said  he,  thrusting  a  bundle  into  my 
hands.     "  Dress  as  quickly  as  you  can." 

Hastily  donning  the  Confederate  uniform,  Tom  and  I  then 
walked  on  through  the  forest  in  silence.    At  length  we  entered 


356  BULLET  AND  SUELL. 

a  road,  and  soon  after  came  to  a  low  wooden  bridge  over  a  small 
brook,  where  Tom  halted. 

"  Well,  Frank,  we  must  say  good-by  once  more.  Here  is  a 
haversack  and  a  loaf  of  your  bread ; "  and,  as  he  spoke,  Tom 
stooped  down  under  the  bridge,  and  produced  the  haversack, 
evidently  left  there  by  preconcerted  arrangement. 

"■  Good-by,  Tom  !  "  I  exclaimed.  "  I  hope  that  when  we  meet 
again  it  will  not  be  to  part." 

'^  I  echo  that  hope  with  all  my  heart,"  replied  Tom.  "  But 
you  must  not  linger  here,  Frank  ;  for  by  daylight  you  should  be 
miles  awa}^  on  the  other  side  the  river." 

I  held  out  my  hand,  and  felt  Tom's  strong  grasp  in  mine ; 
then  with  a  full  heart  I  broke  away,  and  started  on  my  lonely, 
dangerous  journey. 

Tom  had  thought  it  would  be  best  for  me  to  cross  the  Rapidan 
just  above  Germanna  Ford ;  so  I  followed  the  road  we  were  on, 
as  he  said  it  led  direct  to  the  river.  The  moon  was  beginning 
to  show  herself  above  the  tops  of  the  trees  by  the  time  I  had 
gone  a  mile,  and  I  had  plenty  of  light  on  my  path.  But  my 
progress  was  somewhat  slow ;  for,  though  my  wound  was  raj^idly 
healing,  I  was  still  quite  lame.  I  struggled  manfully,  however, 
for  every  step  I  took  brought  me  nearer  to  liberty. 

About  midnight  I  began  to  see  signs  of  the  battle-field.  A 
broken  wagon  lying  on  one  side  of  the  road  was  the  first  thing 
that  attracted  my  attention ;  and  then  the  indications  multi- 
plied, until  at  length  I  came  to  the  Confederate  breastworks. 
The  road  I  was  on  had  evidently  been  the  one  used  by  Ewell 
when  he  advanced  to  meet  Sedgwick  and  Warren.  The  moon 
had  now  risen  almost  to  the  zenith,  and  the  ground  lay  bathed 
in  light.  .Going  on  a  little  farther,  I  discovered  a  path  leading 
towards  my  right ;  and,  knowing  that  the  field  over  which  my 
regiment  had  charged  could  not  be  far  distant,  I  determined  to 
visit  it. 

Following  the  narrow  path  for  a  short  distance,  I  encountered 
more  breastworks,  and  soon  after  saw  an  opening  in  the  woods. 


THE  ACCOUNTS  BALANCED. 


357 


It  was  our  field.  Clambering  over  the  rude  bank  of  logs  and 
earth  that  had  formed  the  defensive  line  of  our  antagonists,  I 
found  myself  at  last  on  the  well-remembered  ground.  But 
what  a  sight  met  my  eye  !  In  the  bright  moonlight  lay  nearly 
two  hundred  bodies  of  my  comrades,  their  picturesque  zouave 
uniforms  now  blackened  by  contact  with  corruption.  In  rows 
and  in  groups,  just  as  they  had  fallen  on  that  fatal  day,  these 
unburied  corpses  had  become  wind  and  sun  dried  skeletons. 


^^^^^^tt 


REVISITING  THE   WILDERNESS   BATTLE-FIELD. 

The  faces  that  were  upturned  to  the  silvery  rays  of  the  moon 
had  lost  all  semblance  to  humanity,  and  were  now  simply 
hideous  masks,  the  eyeless  sockets  of  which  seemed  to  mock 
me  as  I  stood  among  them.  But  I  was  not  alone  ;  for  at  my 
feet  writhed  countless  swarms  of  the  repulsive  Virginia  tumble- 
bugs,  all  struggling  for  a  share  in  the  awful  banquet  the  god 
of  war  had  provided  for  them. 

Horror-stricken  and  heart-sick,  I  gazed  over  the  field  and 
along  the  line  we  had  held,  seeing  bodies  in  every  direction 
and  in  every  possible  attitude.      Here   one   poor  fellow  had 


358  BULLET  AND    SHELL. 

crawled  to  the  foot  of  a  tree,  and  died  as  he  sat.  His  fez  was 
still  on  his  head,  the  gibbering  skull  beneath  it  seeming  to  laugh 
at  me,  as  the  jaws  had  relaxed  and  fallen  apart.  On  the  sleeves 
were  the  chevrons  of  a  sergeant.  Beyond  were  the  bodies  of 
five  or  six  men  lying  one  over  the  other ;  but  now  they  seemed 
like  a  design  on  a  carpet,  having  become  flattened  to  one  level. 
Near  these  was  the  body  of  a  man  lying  apart  from  his  fellows. 
Falling  on  his  back,  the  dead  man  had  flung  his  arms  far  apart, 
and  one  leg  was  drawn  up  as  if  in  agony.  Now  the  hands  were 
bare  of  flesh,  and  peeped  hideously  out  of  the  sleeves ;  while 
the  elevated  knee  had  become  shrunken,  a  wide  rent  in  the 
cloth  permitting  the  skin-covered  bone  to  protrude.  Every- 
where about  me,  these  ghastly  specters  met  my  gaze.  A  few 
feet  from  where  I  stood,  lay  the  body  of  an  officer ;  and,  on 
going  towards  it,  I  saw  a  captain's  strap  on  the  shoulder.  It 
was  poor  Ned  Burch,  no  doubt ;  for  I  recognized  the  tree  near 
by  as  the  one  we  were  standing  under  when  he  died.  Here 
was  where  I  had  fallen ;  and  by  what  a  narrow  chance  it  was, 
that  my  body  was  not  lying  there,  slowly  moldering  on  the 
surface  of  the  earth  ! 

"  And  this  is  the  glory  of  war  that  poets  rave  about ! "  I 
exclaimed.     "Where  are  its  pomp  and  circumstance  now?" 

An  owl  began  hooting  dismally  over  my  head,  as  though 
answering  my  words.  I  listened  to  the  night-bird's  hoarse, 
unearthly  cry  for  a  moment,  then,  turning  away,  staggered 
back  to  the  path. 

Entering  the  wagon-road  again,  I  kept  on  towards  the  river, 
seeing  more  of  the  unburied  Federal  dead,  where  Sedgwick 
had  led  his  men,  until  at  last  I  reached  the  ford.  It  wanted 
scarcely  two  hours  of  daylight;  and,  as  I  knew  I  must  be 
across  and  away  before  that,  I  boldly  waded  into  the  stream, 
finding  it  quite  shallow.  Clambering  painfully  up  the  oppo- 
site bank,  I  struck  into  a  deer-path  in  the  woods  for  a  few 
minutes,  and  then  plunged  into  the  depths  of  the  forest.  I 
had  crossed  the  river  unseen,  unchallenged :  now  for  rest  and 


TEE  ACCOUNTS  BALANCED.  359 

sleep.  My  arm  was  almost  sound  again ;  my  leg,  though  still 
painful,  was  fairly  fit  for  use,  weak  as  it  was.  My  camping- 
ground  was  formed  in  a  hollow  caused  by  the  upheaval  of  a 
tree  by  some  storm ;  and,  after  gathering  a  bed  of  withered 
leaves,  I  flung  myself  on  the  ground,  and  dreamed  of  my 
mother  and  my  home. 


360 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


RTINNING   THE  GAUNTLET. 


"  Herein  Fortune  shows  herself  more  kind 
Than  is  her  custom." 


IX  days  after  my  crossing  the  River  Rapidan, 
I  drew  near  the  pretty  little  town  of  War- 
renton,  where  two  summers  before  I  had. 
joined  my  regiment  from  the  hospital,  rejoi- 
cing in  promotion  and  the  right  to  wear  and 
wield  a  sword.  Full  of  ardor  and  pride  in 
my  new  rank,  when  last  I  had  entered  the 
town  I  gloried  in  all  the  martial  signs  and 
symbols  visible  everywhere  about  me.  Then 
I  was  going  to  meet'  my  comrades,  and  the 
army  in  all  its  glory  and  strength  lay  before 
me.  Now  how  changed  was  the  scene,  how 
different  my  circumstances !  Wounded  and  sore,  alone  and  in 
disguise,  I  was  in  constant  danger.  Weary  with  pain,  —  for 
the  woixnd  in  my  thigh  had  re-opened  under  the  strain  lately 
put  upon  it,  —  I  dreaded  discovery,  and  started  at  every  sound. 
The  cracking  of  a  twig  in  the  forest,  or  the  sudden  dart  of  a 
frightened  squirrel  on  the  roadside,  startled  me ;  and  I  grew 
sick  with  fear  at  every  turn  in  my  path.  My  dear  old  regi- 
ment was  far  away,  bravely  fighting ;  the  bones  of  my  grum- 
bling captain  were  bleaching  in  the  dense  thickets  of  the 
Wilderness,  and  I  was  ignorant  of  Dennis's  fate. 

Fortune  had  indeed  changed  with  me,  and  I  was  tasting  of 
the  bitterness  of  war. 


RUNNING    THE   GAUNTLET.  361 

Thanks  to  Tom  Murshairs  careful  instructions,  I  had  found 
it  tolerable  easy  to  maintain  my  assumed  character  of  a  Con- 
federate soldier.  Avoiding  the  town  of  Culpepper  by  a  circui- 
tous route,  I  crossed  the  plains  of  Brandy  without  hinderance, 
and  forded  the  Robertson  and  Rappahannock  rivers,  a  few 
miles  above  their  junction  at  Beverly  Dam.  So  far  my  journey 
had  been  an  uneventful  one,  for  by  leaving  the  main  roads  I 
had  escaped  the  attention  of  the  patrols  still  kept  moving  by 
the  enemy  in  that  neighborhood.  My  disguise  proved  suffi- 
ciently perfect  to  deceive  the  lonely  women  I  found  in  the 
houses  on  my  route,  but  I  knew  that  at  Warrenton  I  ran  great 
risk  of  being  detected.  The  danger  must  be  faced,  however : 
so  I  nerved  myself  for  the  trial. 

Musing  thus,  I  saw  the  roofs  and  steeples  of  Warrenton  near 
at  hand,  and  in  an  hour's  time  I  was  in  its  streets  ;  finding  them, 
as  I  expected,  entirely  deserted  by  either  army.  Boldly  march- 
ing on,  I  made  my  way  to  the  tavern  not  far  from  the  rail- 
road-depot, finding  four  or  five  men  lounging  on  the  veranda. 

'•  Good-evening,  gentlemen,"  said  I,  coolly  ascending  the 
rickety  wooden  steps.     "It's  very  hot  to-day." 

"  Not  too  hot  for  June,"  replied  one  of  the  group,  an  elderly 
man,  the  others  gazing  curiously  at  me  in  silence.  "  But  who 
be  you  ? '" 

"  A  poor  devil  who  got  hit  over  by  the  Rapidan,  Avhen  we 
licked  the  Yanks  in  the  Wilderness,"  I  replied. 

"  That  war  over  a  month  ago.  Whar  hev  you  bin  sence  ?  " 
asked  the  old  man  suspiciously. 

"  In  hospital,  to  be  sure,  down  by  the  river.  I  left  thar  a 
week  ago." 

"  It  must  hev  bin  a  tough  march,"  remarked  my  interlocu- 
tor. 

"  I'm  pretty  good  on  the  tramp,  sir,"  said  I.  "  Though  I've 
only  a  leg  and  a  half  left,  as  you  might  say." 

"  Bin  wounded,  eh  ?     Whar  'bout  ?  " 

"  In   the  thigh :  the   bullet  went  cl'ar   through,"  I   replied, 


362 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


beginning  to  feel  annoyed  at  the  old  man's  questioning.  But 
he  had  not  yet  done  with  me. 

"  An'  whar  'bout  might  the  battle  hev  bin  ?  " 

"  Down  in  the  Wilderness,  near  Locust  Grove,  t'other  side 
the  Rapidan,"  I  answered,  imitating  his  drawl  to  the  best  of 
my  ability. 

"  That  was  a  riglit  smart  fight,  I've  hearn,"  he  continued. 


AT  THE  WAEKENTON   HOTEL. 


"Deed  it  was;  one  of  the  hottest  I've  ever  bin  in,"  said 
I,  amused  by  the  conversation. 

'•  So  I've  hearn  !  What  mou't  yer  name  be,  mister  ?  "  and  the 
inquisitive  old  fellow  eyed  me  suspiciously  as  he  deliberately 
knocked  the  ashes  out  of  his  home-made  pipe  on  the  veranda 
railing. 

"  Sconnes,  sir ;  George  Sconnes,"  said  I,  using  the  name  Tom 
had  bestowed  on  me  when  we  parted.  "  I  b'long  to  the  Third 
Virginny." 

At  this  moment  a  young  man  rode  up,  a  carbine  being  slung 


RUNNING    THE  GAUNTLET.  363 

at  his  saddle-bow.  Quickly  dismounting,  he  fastened  his  horse 
to  the  hitching-post,  and  approached  the  veranda. 

"  Why,  thar's  my  Martin ! "  exclaimed  my  troublesome  old 
friend.  "  Sa-ay,  Martin,  here's  one  of  yer  comrades,  I  reckon. 
He's  one  of  the  Third  Virginny.  Bin  wounded,  too,  in  the  big 
fight  on  the  Rapidan." 

The  new-comer  eyed  me  even  more  suspiciously  than  his 
father  had  done. 

"What  rigiment  did  yer  say?"  he  asked  in  a  somewhat 
surly  tone  of  voice. 

"  Third  Virginny,  sir,  as  this  gentleman  has  told  you.  What's 
yours?" 

"  Don't  b'long  to  no  rigiment,"  he  replied  with  a  queer  laugh, 
in  which  all  the  others  joined. 

"  Oh !  wun  of  them  home-guards  I've  hearn  tell  of,"  I 
drawled  ;  getting  out  of  temper,  for  the  fellow's,  manner  galled 
me. 

"  Ko,  I'm  no  home-guard.  I'm  as  good  as  you,  tho'  I  don't 
b'long  to  no  rigiment.  I've  fou't  for  the  cause  same  as  you 
fellows  that  wears  the  uniform.  Did  yer  never  hear  of  Colonel 
Mosby  ?  "  and  the  young  fellow  laughed  mischievously. 

"Mosby!  Are  you  one  of  his  men?  That  must  be  dan- 
gerous kind  of  work." 

"  Yes,  it's  sorter  dangerous,"  he  replied,  evidently  mollified 
by  my  implied  compliment.  "  We  runs  more  risks  than  you 
fellows  in  the  army,  but  we've  more  fun." 

"I  sa)',  mister,"  exclaimed  another  of  the  men,  "I've  my 
'spicions  along  of  yer.  I  sort  o'  s'pect  yer  isn't  no  Southerner. 
I  don't  b'lieve  yer  b'long  to  our  side  at  all." 

"Indeed!  and  what  do  yer  take  me  to  be?  Not  a  Yank?" 
said  I  in  as  bold  a  tone  as  I  could  muster,  though  my  heart  was 
thumping  at  the  danger  I  was  facing. 

"  Yes,  a  Yank,  an'  nothin'  else." 

"  I'm  a  Varginian,  sir,"  I  replied :  "  why  shouldn't  you 
b'lieve  me  ?  " 


364  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  'Cause  yer  don't  look  like  one,  and  yer  don't  talk  like  one 
nuther." 

"  Say,  mister,"  interrupted  the  old  man,  "  part  of  that  thar 
rigiment,  the  Third  Virginny,  war  raised  right  "bout  yeah.  Who 
do  you  know  among  'em  ? "' 

Now  was  the  crucial  test.  Could  I  pass  through  it  success- 
fully ? 

"Who  do  I  know?  Waal,  I  don't  know  the  hull  rigiment 
no  better  than  you  do;  but  our  present  colonel  is  Hector 
Randolph,  who  lives  in  the  Loudon  over  thar;  and  thar's 
Major  Crawford,  who  "  — 

"  He's  all  right :  young  Henry  Crawford  was  born  and  raised 
right  yeah  in  Warrenton,"  exclaimed  the  old  man :  "  wasn't 
he,  Martin?" 

"  Yes,  I  'spose  so,"  replied  the  son.  "  But  yer  said  he  was 
yer  major :  since  when  ?  " 

"  Why,  he  got  it  over  in  Richmond,  since  the  battle  of  the 
North  Anna.  Him  and  young  Tom  Marshall  got  promoted 
together.  Now  look  yeah,  gentlemen,  I've  stood  this  yeah  kat- 
akisin  'bout  long  enough.  If  yer  don't  b'lieve  me,  why  don't 
yer  arrest  me?''  and  I  frowned  and  struck  the  railing  with 
my  fist  in  affected  indignation. 

"  Now,  don't  yer  be  gitting  mad,  comrade,"  said  the  3^oung 
bushwhacker.  "  Thar's  my  hand :  sorry  to  have  doubted  yer, 
but's  best  to  be  keerful  these  yeah  war  times." 

"That's  all  right,"  said  I,  taking  the  proffered  hand.  "I 
don't  object  to  be  questioned ;  but  it's  being  taken  for  a  Yank, 
after  having  one  of  thar  plaguy  bullets  punch  a  hole  in  yer, 
that  made  me  angry." 

"  Whar  'bouts  du  yer  b'long  ?  "  asked  one  of  the  men,  who 
had  hitherto  been  a  silent  spectator  to  the  colloquy. 

"  Over  to  Martinsburg." 

"  Yer  hev  a  long  journey  before  yer,"  remarked  the  old  man. 
"  How  are  yer  to  git  over  the  mountains  with  that  thar  leg  ? 
Yer  ain't  scurcely  able  to  walk,  let  alone  climb." 


RUNNING    THE  GAUNTLET.  365 

"  Oh !  I'll  manage  somehow.  If  I  can  get  a  bed  to-night, 
I'll  start  in  the  morning  for  Aldie,  and  go  through  the  Gap.  I 
ought  to  git  thar  in  two  days." 

"  Don't  yer  go  near  Aldie,  if  yer  don't  want  to  be  gobbled 
by  the  Yanks,"  exclaimed  the  guerrilla :  "  they  be  in  toler'ble 
strong  force  thar  jist  now." 

This  was  good  news,  for  if  I  could  only  get  near  our  lines  I 
was  safe. 

"  Sorry  to  hear  it,"  I  replied ;  "  for  it's  an  easier  road  to  travel 
than  thro'  old  Thoroughfare." 

"  Tell  yer  what,  ole  man,"  said  Martin  :  "  we'll  give  him  sup- 
per and  a  bed,  and  in  the  mornin'  yer  hitch  up  the  ole  mar',  and 
take  him  over  the  mountains." 

"  That's  a  good  idee  of  yourn,  Martin.  We're  bound  to  help 
those  who  hev  fou't  for  the  cause." 

"  No,  no,"  I  said  hurriedly,  for  it  was  no  part  of  my  plan  to 
be  carried  over  the  mountains:  "I  am  much  obliged  to  you,  sir. 
I  can't  put  you  to  so  much  trouble." 

"  'Tain't  any  trouble.  I'm  out  of  meal,  and  mou't  as  well  go 
for  it  to-morrer  as  next  day." 

The  old  man  rose  as  he  spoke,  and  descended  from  the 
veranda.  I  saw  that  I  must  submit  to  the  proposition,  else  I 
might  again  arouse  suspicious  already  so  fortunately  allayed. 
Having  given  Martinsburg  as  my  destination,  I  did  not  dare 
object,  though  the  hospitable  offer  sadly  upset  all  my  plans.  I 
might,  however,  make  my  way  down  the  Loudon  Valley,  and  so 
reach  the  River  Potomac.  There  was  no  use  fretting :  I  must 
follow  the  path  Dame  Fortune  selected  for  me. 


366 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 


TO    THE    RESCUE. 


"  In  this 
You  satisfy  your  anger  and  revenge." 

URING  our  early  breakfast  the  next  morning, 
I  learned  that  young  Martin  Farquhar  had 
decided  to  take  his  father's  place  in  our  pro- 
posed jaunt  over  the   mountains ;  he  having 
received  instructions  during  the  night  to  com- 
municate certain  orders  to  the  men  belonging 
to  Mosby's  command  who  lived  in  the  Loudon 
Ki;;,    Valley.     As  it  v^as  a  matter  of  indifference  to 
'£,'1  '■  me  which  of  them  went,  I  acquiesced,  though 
'■^^^*%if^^'     I  ^^^^  chagrined  at  "being  thus  carried  so  far 
'■i'''   ^"li ''"'^         out  of  my  way.     Bidding  old  Mr.  Farquhar 
a   cordial   good-by,   and    making   the   absurd 
promise  to  call  when  I  rejoined  Lee's  army,  I  clambered  into 
the  dilapidated  old  chaise  ;  and  we  were    soon  on   the   road 
through  the  Gaps. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  we  descended  into  the 
valley  of  the  Loudon,  young  Farquhar  to  my  dismay  driving 
straight  across.  It  Avas  nightfall  when  he  halted  at  a  house, 
where  we  learned  tlibat  the  Federals  were  in  force  at  Harper's 
Ferry  and  Charlestown.  As  my  bushwhacking  friend  had 
defeated  my  purpose  of  passing  down  the  valley,  I  was  com- 
pelled to  remain  with  his  entertainers  over  night;  Martin 
carrying  me  in  the  buggy  as  far  as  the  foot  of  the  hills,  soon 
after  sunrise  the  following  morning. 


TO    THE  RESCUE.  367 

"  I'm  much  obliged  to  you,  sir,"  said  I,  "  for  your  kindness. 
Some  day  I  hope  to  be  able  to  pay  the  debt." 

"Look  heah  ! "  cried  Martin  indignantly,  "yer  b'long  to  the 
ole  Third  Virginny,  and  thar's  no  debt  'bout  it." 

I  shook  the  young  man's  hand  in  silence,  for  I  felt  ashamed 
of  having  profited  by  his  loyalty  to  his  side  of  the  great  national 
quarrel.  Leaving  him  to  go  his  rounds,  I  trudged  painfully 
through  the  Gap. 

It  was  with  strange  emotions  that  I  passed  over  the  road  I 
had  traveled  four  years  before.  Then  I  Avas  in  a  land  of  peace 
and  plenty,  and  my  footsteps  were  free  to  go  where  I  listed : 
now  war,  with  its  angry  front,  had  ravaged  the  land,  and 
armed  hosts  were  seeking  to  destroy  each  other.  Then  I  was 
leaving  the  valley  a  happy  boy :  now  I  was  returning  to  the 
scene  bronzed,  disguised,  and  facing  hidden  dangers. 

Coming  at  length  to  the  ledge  where  I  had  taken  my  fare- 
well view  of  the  smiling,  peaceful  valley,  on  that  never-to-be- 
forgotten  summer's  morning,  I  stood  and  gazed  once  more  at 
the  picture,  fairly  amazed  at  the  change  that  had  come  over 
the  scene. 

Though  many  of  the  fields  stretched  at  my  feet  were  full  of 
ripening  wheat,  the  valley  no  longer  wore  that  air  of  busy 
industry  as  when  last  I  saw  it.  Now  all  was  hushed  and  silent. 
Here  and  there  I  could  detect  wide  gaps  in  the  stone  fences, 
and  long  lines  of  trenches,  showing  where  the  opposing  armies 
had  struggled  against  each  other  for  the  mastery.  Even  the 
frequent  bits  of  woodland  had  been  touched  by  the  withering 
hand  of  war ;  for  broad  swaths  of  trees  had  been  cut  for  abatis 
and  defense,  their  lifeless  trunks  and  branches  glistening  in  the 
hot  June  sunshine  in  vivid  contrast  with  the  surrounding  foli- 
age. To  the  right  a  blackened  patch  lay  like  a  blot  on  the 
landscape,  the  outlines  telling  of  a  home  destroj^ed  for  ever. 
Sitting  on  the  ledge,  and  noting  all  these  changes,  my  eyes 
strayed  at  length  to  the  familiar  clump  of  walnut-trees,  under 
the  shade  of  which  I  had  passed  so  many  careless,  happy  hours 


368  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

with  Tom  and  Kate.  The  Marshall  homestead  was  but  little 
changed ;  though  there  was  an  air  of  neglect  about  the  place, 
which,  even  at  that  distance,  struck  me  painfully.  A  few  of  the 
negro-huts  in  the  hollow  only  remained,  and  the  neat  palings 
near  the  house  were  thrown  down  or  broken.  In  the  roof 
of  the  old  mansion  I  could  discern  an  ugly  rent,  the  misshapen 
outlines  of  which  revealed  the  path  of  a  shell.  Like  the  rest 
of  the  blighted  valley,  every  thing  about  the  house  seemed 
silent  and  deserted ;  and  I  wondered  if  it  were  indeed  empty. 
Thus  gazing  and  musing,  a  sudden  impulse  seized  me  to  visit 
the  house  ;  though  it  had  been  my  intention  to  keep  to  the 
river-bank,  and  endeavor  to  reach  Harper's  Ferry. 

The  sun  had  set  when  I  crossed  the  bridge  where  Tom  and  I 
had  parted ;  for  my  pace  was  slow  and  painful,  and  the  night 
had  fallen  as  I  entered  the  lawn.  On  approaching  the  house,  I 
noticed  a  horse,  ready  saddled,  and  tethered  to  the  railing  of 
the  veranda.  In  the  old  days  a  horse  would  not  have  been  per- 
mitted on  the  lawn,  and  my  finding  one  there  was  another 
evidence  of  the  change  that  had  come  over  the  valley.  Though 
in  disguise  as  a  Confederate  soldier,  I  knew  the  need  of  cau- 
tion :  so  stealing  up  the  steps,  I  peeped  through  a  lighted  win- 
dow. 

In  the  room  stood  Kate  Marshall,  her  face  towards  me.  But 
how  changed  was  the  girl !  Though  still  beautiful,  the  faded 
dress  of  mourning  and  her  pale  cheeks  told  of  sorrow.  Just 
then  the  figure  nf  a  man  came  between  us.  He  turned ;  and, 
to  my  amazement,  I  saw  the  face  of  Ned  Charlton. 

"What  is  he  doing  here?  Does  the  girl  really  love  the 
fellow?"  With  these  unuttered  words  on  my  tongue,  I  leaned 
against  the  sash,  and  listened. 

"  Come,  come !  Kate  Marshall,  don't  be  a  fool,"  exclaimed 
Charlton.     "  You  know  how  I  love  you." 

"  I  care  not.  When  'you  first  told  me  of  it,  I  rejected  you 
gently,  as  a  woman  should.  But  now  you  j)ersecute  me,"  was 
her  reply. 


TO   THE  RESCUE.  369 

"  Persecute  you,  Miss  Marshall !  Fui  a  gentleman,"  said 
Charlton  in  his  lofty  manner. 

"  Gentleman  !  You  are  a  pretty  gentleman  !  to  steal  into  my 
house  during  my  father's  absence,  because  you  know  you  dare 
not  do  it  in  his  presence.  A  fine  gentleman  I  Sir,  3'ou  insult 
the  word  in  using  it." 

'•'•  We  lose  time,  Miss  Kate.  I  offer  you  my  love,  my  honest 
love." 

"  Your  love  is  not  honest,  Ned  Charlton,  and  you  are  not  an 
honest  man,"  replied  Kate  with  flashing  eyes. 

"  By  heaven,  girl !  what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Just  what  I  say,  sir.  You  pretend  to  be  a  defender  of  our 
cause ;  but  I  believe  you  to  be,  at  heart,  a  miserable  traitor." 

"  Do  5'ou  ?  Look  you  now,  my  proud  beauty,  take  care 
how  you  badger  me ! "  cried  Charlton,  his  dark  face  distorted 
with  rage. 

"  Oh  !  I  am  not  afraid  of  3^ou,  Mr.  Charlton.  You  dare  not 
harm  me." 

"  Dare  not  ?  By  heaven !  you  tempt  me  to  show  you  my 
l^ower." 

"Your  power?  what  could  you  do?"  asked  the  girl  in  a 
curious  tone. 

"Do?  Why,  as  you  have  said,  you  are  all  alone  here: 
there's  not  a  nigger  on  the  plantation.  Ah !  you  see,  I  know 
alL  If  you  don't  change  your  tune,  my  prettj^  one,  I'll  clap 
you  on  my  saddle,  and  carry  you  to  the  mountains.  Once 
there,  you  will  be  glad  enough  to  be  my  wife." 

"  Cowardly  miscreant !  my  brother  shall  pay  you  dearly  for 
these  threats,  this  insult,"  exclaimed  Kate  passionately. 

"  The  devil  take  your  brother !  Come,  we'll  have  no  more 
of  this.     To  the  mountains  you  go  this  very  night." 

As  he  uttered  the  words,  the  scoundrel  advanced  to  seize  the 
shrinking  girl.  Before  he  could  do  so,  I  had  dashed  through 
the  window,  and,  with  a  chair,  stretched  him  senseless  at  her 
feet. 


370  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"•  Frank  !  "  exclaimed  Kate,  springing  into  my  arms,  "  thank 
God !  I'm  safe." 

"  Yes,"  I  replied  tenderly,  "  safe  enough,  I  trust." 

"  But,  Frank,  how  came  you  here  ?  and  in  that  dress  ?  That 
is  not  a  Yankee  uniform." 

"  No.     Tom  lent  it  to  me  to  escape  with." 

"Escape?  then  you  were  a  prisoner?" 

"  Yes ;  but  never  mind  that  now,  Kate.  Thank  Heaven ! 
chance  brought  me  here  to  save  you  from  that  villain." 

"  I  say,  good  people,  perhaps  you  will  explain  the  meaning 
of  all  this,"  cried  a  voice  at  my  elbow. 

Startled  at  the  unexpected  interruption,  Kate  and  I  turned, 
only  to  find  that  the  speaker  was  Mr.  Marshall. 

"  Frank  Wilmot !  "  he  exclaimed,  surprised  in  his  turn,  "  and 
in  Confederate  uniform  !     What  does  this  mean  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir;  Frank  Wilmot,"  I  replied,  "and  in  disguise.  !• 
was  a  prisoner,  and  your  son  helped  me  to  escape.  I  shall  be 
quite  safe  before  morning." 

"  O  father !  "  said  Kate,  "  Frank  has  saved  me  from  a  dread- 
ful fate." 

"  What  on  earth  do  you  mean,  girl  ?  " 

"  She  means,  that,  finding  her  in  the  power  of  a  villain,  I  nat- 
urally came  to  her  rescue.  There  he  lies,"  said  I,  poniting  to 
the  floor  where  Charlton  had  fallen. 

"  Why,  he's  gone  !  "  exclaimed  Kate. 

It  was  indeed  true.  There  were  no  traces  of  the  fellow: 
he  had  escaped. 

"  Come,  no  more  of  this  mystery,"  exclaimed  the  old  gentle- 
man impatiently.  "What  has  happened?  Who  is  a  villain? 
Who  has  disappeared  ?  " 

As  briefly  as  possible  I  related  what  had  occurred.  At  the 
mention  of  Charlton's  name,  Mr.  Marshall's  face  darkened  with 
passion. 

"  Ned  Charlton  ?  He  dare  to  do  this !  He  shall  pay  dearly 
for  this  outrage  !     Mr.  Wilmot,  how  shall  I  thank  you  ?  " 


TO   THE  RESCUE.  371 

"Indeed,  sir,  I  ask  no  thanks  for  what  I  did." 

"  You  no  doubt  consider  my  daughter's  thanks  quite  suffi- 
cient," remarked  the  old  gentleman  significantly.  "But  de- 
pend upon  it,  Frank,  that  scoundrel  Cliarlton  means  to  do 
you  some  mischief.  As  I  rode  up  to  the  house  I  heard  some 
one  ride  away  towards  the  huts:  it  must  have  been  he.  He 
has  no  doubt  recognized  you ;  and,  if  you  are  captured  in  that 
Confederate  uniform,  you  will  be  hanged  as  a  spy.  You  must 
leave  this  house  at  once.     There  is  no  time  to  be  lost." 

"  Yes,  Frank,  father  is  right.  You  must  go  before  it  is  too 
late,"  said  Kate. , 

"  Perhaps  so,"  was  my  reply  ;  "  but  it  seems  cowardly  to 
leave  in  this  way." 

"  But  you  are  in  danger.  It  is  not  cowardly  to  avoid  it," 
pleaded  Kate. 

"  There  is  short  shrift  accorded  spies  in  this  valley,"  said  Mr. 
Marshall ;  "  and  you  would  be  denounced  as  such  by  Charlton. 
Have  you  any  arms,  Mr.  Wilmot?" 

"  None.     If  I  only  had  a  revolver  now !  " 

"  Take  mine,  and  there's  my  horse  at  the  door." 

"  No,  no !  to  take  your  horse  would  only  place  you  under 
suspicion.  Besides,  I  shall  be  best  on  foot,  for  Charlton  is  too 
fond  of  horse-flesh  to  trust  himself  out  of  the  saddle." 

As  I  spoke,  I  took  the  revolver,  and  thrust  it  into  my  bosom. 

"  Hark !  I  heard  horses,"  exclaimed  Kate.  "  They  are  com- 
ing in  search  of  yovi,  Frank." 

"  You're  right,  my  girl,"  said  her  father,  going  to  the  window. 
"  There's  a  troop  of  horsemen  in  the  road.  Kate,  take  Mr. 
Wilmot  through  the  house  and  down  past  the  barn.  —  You 
know  the  path,  Frank.     Come,  you  have  no  time  to  lose." 

The  galloping  of  several  horses  now  sounded  in  our  ears,  and 
I  did  not  need  any  urging  to  accompany  Kate.  To  stay  was  to 
brave  death :  to  escape  would  balk  Charlton  of  his  contem- 
plated revenge.  Kate  and  I  rapidly  crossed  the  open  ground 
in  rear  of  the  house  until  we  came  to  a  path.    Here  we  paused. 


372  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

The  horsemen  came  thundering  along  the  road,  and  over  the 
lawn,  up  to  the  very  door  of  the  house ;  and  I  could  hear  con- 
fused voices  in  angry  altercation.  It  was  quite  evident  that 
Charlton  had  returned.  Should  I  slip  away  like  a  thief,  and 
leave  this  brave  girl  unprotected,  and  exposed  to  the  insults  of 
a  scoundrel  like  him?  The  idea  seemed  detestable.  Giving 
expression  to  these  feelings  in  words,  Kate  interrupted  me :  — 

"  Have  no  fear  for  me.  My  father  is  too  well  known  in  the 
valley  for  Charlton  to  attempt  us  any  harm.  But  you  we  can 
not  save.  As  my  father  says,  the  uniform  you  wear  would  be 
your  death-warrant.  Go  now,  and  may  God  bless  and  pro- 
tect you ! '' 

She  was  right.  I  must  go.  Taking  her  in  my  arms  for  a 
moment,  I  tore  myself  away,  and,  with  her  kiss  on  my  lips, 
plunged  down  the  narrow  path  in  the  darkness. 


IN  FRESH   TOILS. 


373 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


IN   FRESH   TOILS. 


"  You  make  me  strange 
Even  to  the  disposition  that  I  owe.' 


HE  distance  to  the  river  was  so  short  that  I 
soon  reached  the  bank,  and  entered  the  path 
used  by  field-hands  when  peace  reigned  in  the 
valley.  I  knew  that  if  I  met  with  no  hinder- 
ance  I  could  reach  the  Federal  picket-lines 
„„^  as,  mmn  ^^  daylight ;  plodding  on  to  the  best  of  my 
wil'feoFlV^  ability,  for  I  remembered  enough  of  the  topog- 
raphy of  that  part  of  the  valley  to  know  that 
if  our  forces  were  in  possession  of  Charles- 
town  I  should  find  their  pickets  along  the  line 
of  Opequan  Creek,  some  miles  this  side  of 
Harper's  Ferry.  In  the  excitement  induced 
by  my  discovery  of  Kate's  danger,  I  had  forgotten  the  pain  of 
my  wound,  nor  did  I  feel  it  for  over  an  hour  after  parting  from 
her.  But  at  length  my  poor  thigh  grew  restive,  the  pain  in- 
creased, and  I  felt  the  blood  running  down  my  leg  into  the  shoe: 
it  was  with  difficult}',  therefore,  that  I  kept  moving.  Faint 
and  weary  as  I  was,  I  realized,  however,  the  fact  that  halting 
was  impossible  ;  for  with  the  dawn  Charlton  and  his  followers 
would  be  galloping  over  every  field  in  search  of  me.  To 
escape,  I  must  keep  on  my  feet,  no  matter  at  what  cost  of  pain 
and  suffering.  Better  to  endure  that  now,  and  live  to  enjoy 
Kate's  love,  than  run  the  risk  of  capture,  and  a  miserable  deatli 
at  the  end  of  a  rope. 


374  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

Stumbling  along  as  best  I  could,  but  at  an  uneven  pace,  I 
followed  the  course  of  the  river,  as  it  wound  about  under  the 
mountains.  My  progress  was,  however,  so  slow  and  tedious 
that  when  the  first  faint  streaks  of  daylight  appeared  in  the 
sky  I  feared  I  had  not  yet  placed  all  danger  behind.  An  hour 
later,  and  objects  around  me  became  distinguishable ;  but 
though  I  saw  no  signs  of  being  pursued,  neither  did  I  perceive 
any  indication  of  the  Federal  line.  Still,  I  felt  confident  they 
were  not  far  distant. 

While  thus  calculating  the  chances  and  changes  of  fortune, 
a  turn  in  the  path  suddenly  brought  me  to  a  deserted  breast- 
Avork;  and  as  I  slowly  clambered  over  it,,  two  men  rushed  for- 
ward, and  made  me  their  prisoner.  A  glance  was  sufficient  to 
tell  me  that  they  were  Federal  cavalrymen.  At  last  I  was  in 
the  hands  of  friends. 

"Mine  Gott  in  Himmel!  ver  you  gome  from,  eh?"  ejaculated 
one  of  the  men,  the  yellow  chevrons  on  his  sleeve  showing  him 
to  be  a  corporal. 

"  Why,  from  the  other  side  of  the  breastwork,  to  be  sure," 
said  I,  amused  at  the  stupid  question. 

"Veil,  I  see  dot  meinself.  But  what  for  you  gome  over? 
Dot's  what  I  vant  to  know." 

"What  regiment  do  you  belong  to?"  I  asked,  ignoring  the 
corporars  inquiry. 

"  Dird  Neuw  Jersey,"  replied  the  corporal.  "  For  why  you 
ask,  eh?" 

"  Just  to  find  out.  Now  send  me  to  the  rear :  I  want-  to  see 
the  officer  in  command." 

"  Yaw,  dot  is  all  righd.  Hans  vill  dake  yer  to  de  major," 
said  the  corporal,  evidently  mystified  by  my  unexpected  appear- 
ance and  confident  manner. 

"  Yous  bee  mein  brisoner,"  said  Hans,  laying  his  big  paw  on 
my  shoulder ;  "  an'  ef  you  blays  me  any  dricks  I  shoots  you  mit 
de  head,  preddy  quick  righd  avay." 

"  Go  ahead,  my  Dutch  friend,"  said  I. 


IN  FRESH   TOILS.  375 

"  I  bees  not  a  Dietchman,  I  bees  von  Gherman ! "  exclaimed 
Hans  indignantly. 

"  All  right,  old  fellow.  It  would  take  a  big  bullet  to  go 
through  that  thick  skull  of  yours." 

Hans  seemed  disposed  at  first  to  resent  my  badinage,  for  he 
rattled  his  saber  menacingly ;  but  finally  abandoned  all  belli- 
gerent intent,  and  led  the  way  to  the  picket-reserve.  We  pro- 
ceeded down  the  path  for  a  few  minutes,  when  I  found  myself 
in  the  presence  of  the  picket-officer.  Major  Rosenburg  listened 
to  my  statements  very  courteously,  and  expressed,  his  belief  in 
their  truth. 

"  But  I  must  send  you  down  to  the  Ferry  under  guard, 
captain,"  said  he  apologetically:  "you  see,  I  have  only  your 
personal  word  that  you  are  an  officer  in  the  Federal  army." 

"  Of  course,  sir.  That  is  what  I  should  do  under  similar  cir- 
cumstances. But  please  send  me  at  once,  for  my  wound  needs 
attention." 

"  The  man  who  brought  you  in  here  will  be  your  escort," 
said  the  major,  indicating  Hans  with  a  gesture.  "  Roseubaum, 
get  your  horse,  and  take  the  prisoner  to  headquarters." 

"Is  there  a  large  force  of  Federals  in  the  valley  at  present?" 
said  I  as  Hans  disappeared. 

"Excuse  me,  sir,"  replied  Major  Rosenburg  rather  stiffly:  "I 
can  not  give  you  any  information.  If  you  satisfy  the  general 
as  to  your  true  character,  you  will  then  learn  all  you  wish." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  major.  I  forgot  I  was  in  Confederate 
uniform.  You  are  quite  right.  I  bid  you  good-day,  sir,  with 
many  thanks  for  your  kindness." 

"  Good-day,  sir,"  replied  Major  Rosenburg. 

Following  Hans  to  a  clump  of  trees,  he  soon  mounted,  and 
led  me  into  a  road.  We  had  proceeded  scarcely  a  dozen  rods 
when  my  guard  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  revolver  I  carried  in 
the  breast  of  my  coat. 

"  Donner  and  blitzen  !  You  bees  hev  a  peestol !  "  he  ex- 
claimed. 


376  liULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  So  I  have.     1  had  forgotten  all  about  it,"  said  J. 

"  So !     What  for  you  dakes  me  ?  a  domined  fool,  eh  ?  " 

"  You're  not  far  from  being  one,"  was  my  reply,  surprised  at 
the  man's  angry  tone.  "But  I  don't  understand  you,  my 
friend.     What  do  you  mean  by  all  this?  " 

"  Mein  Gott !  You  dakes  your  obbertunity,  and  shoots  me 
thru  mein  head  ven  I  vas  not  looking.  Yous  shust  gib  me 
dot  peestol." 

"  Certainly,  if  you  wish  it.     Here  it  is  !  " 

Scarcely  had  the  fellow  got  possession  of  the  revolver  than 
he  cocked  it,  and  poked  the  muzzle  in  my  face. 

"What  the  devil  are  you  doing?"  I  exclaimed,  leaping  back 
to  avoid  the  weapon. 

"  Vot  I  means?     Vhy,  to  shoot  you  now,  righd  avay." 

"  Shoot  me  !  "  said  I.  "  Why,  you  were  ordered  to  take  me 
to  the  general  at  the  Ferry,  you  blundering  fool.  Did  you 
not  hear  me  tell  your  major  just  now,  that  I  was  a  Union 
officer?  Do  your  duty.  I  am  sorry  now  I  gave  you  that 
revolver." 

"  Oh  !  yous  bees  sorry.     Veil,  I  shoots  you  anyvay." 

"Look  here,  my  fine  fellow.  If  I  "am  to  be  shot,  don't  you 
think  it  will  be  well  to  wait  until  your  general  gives  the  order? 
If  you  shoot  me  now,  you  may  have  to  face  half  a  dozen  car- 
bines yourself." 

"  I  tells  yous  shust  vot  I  does.  I  ties  yous  to  mein  saddle, 
dot's  vot  I  does  I  "  exclaimed  Hans,  as  if  the  thought  was  a 
brilliant  one. 

"  I  don't  care  what  you  do,  so  ,you  take  me  to  the  Ferry," 
I  replied,  thankful  that  the  fellow's  mood  had  changed. 

Hans  immediately  made  a  slip-noose  on  one  end  of  his  lariat, 
and  passed  it  over  my  wrist,  making  the  other  end  of  the  cord 
fast  to  a  ring  in  his  saddle. 

Finding  resistance  to  be  worse  than  useless,  I  submitted  to 
my  fate,  and  did  my  best  to  keep  pace  with  the  horse ;  but  I 
could  not  avoid  the  frequent  jerks  of  the  cord  on  my  wrist. 


IN  FRESH  TOILS. 


377 


It  was  fully  four  miles  tn  the  Ferry ;  and  in  that  distance  I  suf- 
fered greatly,  tlie  ignorant  brute  on  horseback  seeming  to  have 
no  compassion.  I  bore  the  pain  and  fatigue  with  such  phi- 
losophy as  I  could  muster,  hoping  to  turn  the  tables  on  my 
escort  when  I  saw  the  general. 

At  length  we  entered  the  little  straggling  village  of  Harper's 
Ferry,  shut  in  as  it  is  by  towering  mountains  on  every  side. 
The  Shenandoah  River  now  lost  its  peaceful,  placid  character ; 
for,  finding  its  passage  to  the  Potomac  narrowed  by  the  goi'ge 
through  which  it 
poured,  the  stream 
boiled  and  foamed  in 
angry  mood,  carrying 
its  bluster  into  the 
waters  of  the  more 
majestic  river  beyond. 
Passing  down  Shenan- 
doah Street  on  our  way 
1 0  headquarters,  we 
met  a  staff-officer  on 
horseback. 

"  What  have  you 
there  ?  "  he  inquired  of 
my  guard. 

"  He  bees  von  rebel, 
vot  dried  to  run  avay, 
so  I  ties  him  to  mein 
saddle,"  was  Hans's  mendacious  reply. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir,"  I  began  :  "  I  am  not  a  Confederate, 
but  a"  — 

"Oh!  never  mind  what  or  who  you  are  now,"  interrupted 
the  aide  impatiently :  "  you  can  settle  that  question  by  and 
by.  —  Take  him  to  the  guard-house,  my  man." 

"  But  I  want  to  see  the  general !  "  I  exclaimed, 
mistake.     I  must  see  the  general." 


UNDER  GUARD. 


It's  all  a 


378  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"■  Confound  your  impudence !  The  general  has  something 
else  to  attend  to.  The  provost-guard  will  look  after  you ; " 
and  the  speaker  galloped  on  out  of  sight. 

Before  many  minutes  I  was  in  an  old  half-ruined  house,  on 
the  river-bank,  surrounded  by  some  twenty  or  thirty  Confeder- 
ate soldiers.  They  informed  me  that  they  liad  been  taken  on 
a  picket-line  a  few  nights  before,  and  were  expecting  to  be  sent 
to  the  prison-camp  at  Elmira.  They  were  astonished  to  learn 
tliat  I  was  not  an  officer  in  the  Southern  army ;  and  I  was  com- 
pelled to  explain  the  circumstances  which  brought  me  among 
them.  But  I  was  at  a  loss  how  to  extricate  myself  from  this 
absurd  predicament. 

The  guard  over  these  Confederate  prisoners  was  commanded 
by  an  Irish  sergeant,  who  reminded  me  of  Dennis  by  his  odd 
speeches.  Being  evidently  good-natured,  I  decided  to  appeal 
to  him.  During  my  forced  march  to  the  Ferry,  at  the  heels  of 
Hans's  horse,  I  had  lost  my  hat ;  the  stubborn  wretch  refusing 
to  stop  until  I  could  pick  it  up.  This  would  be  sufficient 
excuse  for  my  purpose. 

"An'  is  it  a  hat  ye  want?  Shure,  I  don't  blame  ye  for 
wantin'  one,"  said  the  sergeant ;  "  but  how  can  I  get  one  to  fit 
ye?" 

"  Ask  the  officer  of  the  day  to  let  me  go  to  the  store,  under 
guard,  and  pick  one  out  for  myself." 

"'Deed,  an'  I  will,  this  blessed  minnit." 

Half  an  hour  after,  one  of  the  corporals  called  me  out,  and 
escorted  me  to  the  store,  not  far  distant.  As  we  entered,  a 
group  of  officers  who  were  lounging  near  the  counter  stared  at 
me  as  if  I  were  some  strange  animal.  To  my  delight,  in  the 
middle  of  the  group  I  recognized  Charles  Osborne,  the  corre- 
spondent. 

"Good-day,  Osborne.  What  are  you  doing  up  here?"  was 
my  quiet  salutation,  as  I  walked  up  to  him  and  held  out  my  hand. 

"Excuse  me,  sir,  but  I  don't  remember  you,"  replied  Os- 
borne, evidently  surprised. 


IN  FKESII  TOILS.  379 

"  Perhaps  not,  seeing  me  in  this  confounded  dress.  Don't 
you  remember  Captain  Wihnot  of  the  Zouaves?  we  met  at 
Gettysburg,  and  since  very  often." 

"What!  Frank  Wihnot,  who  had  all  the  prisoners  at  Point  of 
Rocks  last  summer? "' 

"  The  same." 

"  Why,  man,  you  were  reported  killed  at  the  Wilderness,  and 
I  wrote  your  obituary.  Colonel  Harding  hasn't  been  the  same 
man  since.     How  comes  it  that  you  are  alive  ?  "  said  Osborne. 

"  Simply  because  I  wasn't  killed,  that's  all.  When  I  re- 
covered mj--  senses  after  being  wounded,  the  Confederates  had 
me  a  prisoner." 

"  How  did  you  escape  ?  " 

"  That's  a  pretty  long  story :  I  can't  tell  it  now,  for  I  want 
you  to  help  me,  Osborne." 

"  All  right,  old  fellow  :  what  is  it  I  am  to  do  ?  " 

"  Why,  nobody  here  will  believe  me  when  I  say  that  I  am 
not  a  Confederate,  and  I  can  not  get  audience  with  the  general. 
You  know  me  :  go  and  tell  him." 

"What!  haven't  you  seen  General  Stahl?  Why  is  that 
corporal  with  you?"  exclaimed  one  of  the  officers. 

"They  have  put  me  among  some  other  Confederate  prisoners, 
and  will  pack  me  off  to  Elmira,  I  suppose,  if  some  one  does  not 
interfere." 

"  You  have  been  shamefully  treated,  Wilmot,"  said  Osborne. 
"I  propose,  gentlemen,  to  see  this  thing  out.  Let  us  all  go 
with  him  to  the  general." 

"  Just  what  I  was  going  to  propose,"'  remarked  one  of  the 
officers :  "  Avon't  the  old  man  be  mad,  though,  when  he  hears  of 
this ! " 

"  I  came  here  to  buy  a  hat,"  said  I,  laughing  ;  for  I  was  of 
course  delighted  at  the  happy  turn  affairs  had  taken. 

"  Bother  your  hat !  "  cried  Osborne  :  "  you  are  more  pictur- 
esque as  you  are.  Besides,  when  the  general  releases  you  we'll 
have  to  fit  you  out  in  a  new  rig." 


380  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

On  arriving  at  the  general's  quarters  I  was  at  once  ushered 
into  his  presence.  The  sight  of  a  man  in  Confederate  uuiform 
in  the  midst  of  so  many  of  his  officers  amazed  General  Stahl ; 
but  Avhen  Osborne  explained  who  I  was,  how  I  had  escaped 
through  the  Confederate  lines,  and  how  outrageously  I  had 
been  treated,  his  indignation  knew  no  bounds. 

"What!"  shouted  the  angry  general:  "a  Union  officer 
comes  through  the  lines,  and  is  crammed  into  the  guard-house 
witliout  my  knowledge  !  By  heaven  !  I'll  make  an  example  of 
some  one  for  this.  —  Orderly,  call  the  officer  of  the  day."' 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  general ;  but  the  officer  of  the  day  had 
nothing  to  do  with  it.  We  met  a  staff-officer  on  the  road  just 
outside  the  turn.  It  was  he  who  ordered  me  to  be  taken  to 
the  guard-house." 

"  His  name  ?  "  asked  the  general. 

"  That  I  do  not  know." 

"  Did  you  tell  him  you  were  a  Federal  officer  in  disguise  ?  " 
demanded  General  Stahl. 

"  I  attempted  to  do  so  ;  but  he  would  not  listen,  and,  when  I 
asked  to  see  you,  said  that  you  had  something  else  to  attend 
to." 

"  I  wish  I  knew  who  he  was,"  remarked  the  brigadier  wrath- 
fully. 

"Well,  sir,  though  I  do  not  know  the  aide's  name,  I  can 
fortunately  point  him  out,  for  here  he  comes." 

"  Lieutenant  Forsyth,  did  you  meet  this  gentleman  on  the 
road  this  morning?"  asked  the  general  in  a  freezing  tone,  as 
the  officer  entered  the  room  and  paused  in  surprise. 

"  I  believe  I  did,"  stammered  the  lieutenant. 

"  Well,  sir,  you  insulted  a  brave  officer  of  your  own  army ; 
and,  if  you  had  had  a  spark  of  feeling  in  your  heart  you  would 
have  listened  to  him  even  if  he  had  proved  to'  be  what  he 
appears,  —  a  Confederate  soldier.  Lieutenant  Forsyth,  you  will 
report  at  once  to  your  regiment  for  duty :  you  can  no  longer 
serve  on  my  staff." 


IN  FRESH   TOILS.  381 

"  But,  general  "  — 

"  Enough :  I  want  no  such  aides  as  you  about  nie,"  said  Gen- 
eral Stahl. 

Lieutenant  Forsyth  touched  his  cap  in  silence,  and  left  tlie 
room,  overcome  by  his  disgrace. 

"  And  now,  Mr.  Wilmot,"  continued  the  general  in  a  pleas- 
anter  tone,  "  I  have  great  pleasure  in  releasing  you  from  fur- 
ther annoyance.  Major  Phillips,  our  surgeon  here,  will  see 
your  wounds  dressed;  and  I  know  your  brother  officers  will 
take  pleasure  in  seeing  you  equipped  in  the  uniform  of  your 
rank.  It  will  never  do  to  let  you  go  to  Washington  in  that 
guise." 

"  Come,  Wilmot,"  said  Osborne  gleefully  :  "  I'll  take  you  in 
charge  for  old  Harding's  sake,  who  thinks  you  dead  and  buried. 
Lord !  won't  he  be  surprised  when  he  hears  that  you  are  so 
much  alive  !  —  May  I  take  the  captain  with  me,  general?" 

"  Certainly ;  and  I  will  send  you  a  pass,  captain,  in  time  for 
the  afternoon  train , "  and  the  general  cordially  grasped  my 
hand  as  I  withdrew. 

I  was  once  more  free  ! 

"  Upon  my  word,  Osborne,"  said  I  an  hour  or  two  afterwards, 
as  we  stood  on  the  railroad-platform,  waiting  for  the  train, 
"  you  turn  up  in  the  most  unexpected  places.  How  came  you 
in  this  out-of-the-way  corner?" 

"  It's  going  to  be  a  very  important  corner  before  long,"  re- 
plied Osborne,  "  or  you  wouldn't  see  me  here.  I  can  not  tell 
you  all  I  know,  for  the  War  Department  holds  a  tight  rein  over 
us  correspondents;  but  this  I  can  say,  —  the  Shenandoah  is  des- 
tined to  be  famous  before  the  end  of  the  summer." 

"You  can  not  mean  that  Lee  is  going  to  attempt  another 
invasion  ?  " 

"  Well,  you  are  not  far  out  in  your  guess ;  but,  if  Lee  does 
attempt  it,  he  is  going  to  get  a  worse  licking  than  ever." 

"  Where  is  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  now  ?  " 

"  Upon  my  word,  Wilmot,  it's  positively  refreshing  to  have 


382  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

you  ask  such  a  question  ;  though  of  course  you  can  not  know. 
Why,  my  boy,  Grant  has  driven  Lee  all  the  way  back  to 
McClellan's  old  ground,  and  has  carried  the  army  across  the 
James  River,  where  he  is  besieging  the  Confederates  in  front 
of  Petersburg." 

"  That  seems  amazing  to  me,  for  I  have  heard  nothing  except 
that  our  army  had  sustained  defeat  after  defeat,"  said  I. 

"  Of  course :  that's  what  all  our  returned  prisoners  say. 
Well,  old  fellow,  here  is  the  train." 

"  Good-by,  Osborne  :  you  are  my  good  genius." 

"  There's  many  a  general  who  wears  the  silver  star  can  say 
the  same,"  laughed  the  correspondent.  "  We  newspaper  men 
make  more  generals  than  we  break." 

The  whistle  of  the  impatient  locomotive  warned  us  that  it 
was  time  to  part :  so  with  a  warm  grasp  of  the  hand  I  left  my 
friend  behind  me,  and  entered  on  another  lease  of  hospital-life 
at  Annapolis. 


BY  MINE  AND   SAP.  383 


I 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

BY   IMINE  AND   SAP. 

'The  cannons  have  their  bowels  full  of  wrath; 
And  ready  mounted  are  they,  to  spit  forth." 

AVING  failed  to  break  Lee's  Wilderness  line 
on  opening  the  campaign  of  1864,  Grant,  by 
a  clever  flank  movement  towards  his  left,  gave 
'--  battle  at  Spottsylvania ;  only  to  find  the  Con- 
t/k  federate  leader  stubbornlj^  confronting  his  new 
T-j' position.  These  tactics  were  repeated  again 
i'|.  and  again,  and  a  series  of  battles  ensued  until 
'^- ''  the  armies  met  on  the  North  Anna  River ; 
where  Lee  gave  check,  compelling  Grant  to 
cross  the  Pamunkey  River,  and  traverse  Mc- 
Clellan's  scene  of  operations.  The  desperate 
and  bloody  battle  at  Cold  Harbor  resulted  in 
the  Federal  army  crossing  the  James  River,  and  joining  the 
forces  under  Butler.  Holding  the  interior  line,  Lee  stopped 
Grant  at  Petersburg  by  a  strong  line  of  intrenchments,  com- 
pelling the  latter  to  enter  on  a  siege.  Though  the  overland 
campaign  had  terribly  crippled  the  Confederate  army,  their 
general  had  shown  his  military  genius  by  holding  on  to  Rich- 
mond, always  the  strategic  point  of  attack.  The  loss  of  life 
on  both  sides  had  been  awful ;  for  thousands  upon  thousands  6i 
brave  men  lay,  buried  and  unburied,  amid  the  forests  through 
which  the  contending  armies  had  struggled  and  fought. 

In  July,  Lee  made  his  favorite  move  on  Washington  in  hopes 
of  shaking  off  Grant ;  but  the  latter  met  the  Confederate  col- 


384  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

umn  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  by  sending  another  under  Sher- 
idan, who  crushed  Early,  and  destroyed  the  wheat-crop  upon 
which  the  latter  depended  to  feed  his  troojDs. 

Meanwhile,  Sherman  had  assumed  the  offensive,  and,  defeat- 
ing Johnston  by  turning  his  flank,  marched  straight  for  the 
city  of  Atlanta,  Georgia ;  capturing  the  place  despite  the  efforts 
of  Hood,  who  had  succeeded  Johnston  in  command  of  that 
portion  of  the  Confederate  forces. 

Such  was  the  situation  of  affairs  in  the  field  when  one  Octo- 
ber morning  I  again  approached  the  confines  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac. 

My  wound  had  been  slow  in  healing,  so  I  had  passed  the 
summer  months  in  hospital.  Permission  to  join  my  regiment 
was  given  at  last,  and  I  joyfully  abandoned  the  quiet  hospital- 
life  for  the  excitement  to  be  found  in  campaigning. 

Leaving  Washington  by  steamer,  I  reached  Fortress  INIonroe 
the  following  morning,  and  ascending  the  James  River,  arrived 
at  City  Point  during  the  afternoon.  All  the  way  up  the  James 
we  found  the  river  alive  with  steam  and  sailing  craft,  their 
number  increasing  as  we  proceeded.  At  last  we  turned  a  sud- 
den bend  in  the  river,  and  I  caught'  a  glimpse  of  the  army's 
base  of  supplies.  Above  and  below  the  line  of  rude  wharves, 
along  the  left  bank  of  the  muddy  stream,  four  or  five  gunboats 
lay  at  anchor;  while  around  them  river  and  ocean  steamers 
were  moving  to  and  fro,  as  they  sought  to  discharge  their 
freights  of  food  and  ammunition,  or  retired  for  fresh  cargoes. 
Here  and  there  clusters  of  schooners,  their  broad  sails  all 
housed  and  furled,  were  being  towed  round  the  bend  by  tugs 
puffing  noisily  over  their  tasks.  Nestling  under  the  bluffs 
were  long  lines  of  railroad-cars;  and  the  shriek  of  a  locomo- 
tive-whistle pierced  the  ear  as  a  train  moved  slowly  from 
behind  the  immense  storehouses,  and  passed  out  of  sight 
through  a  wide  cutting.  The  bluffs  were  crowned  by  canvas 
towns,  which,  even  at  that  distance,  I  knew  to  be  the  sutler's 
domain.     On  the  extreme  end  of  the  point,  some  distance  above 


BY  MINE  AND   SAP.  385 

the  wharves,  stood  a  tall  pole,  from  the  top  of  which  floated  a 
huge  garrison-flag ;  and  under  it  a  cluster  of  huts. 

-'  What  does  that  flag  mean  ?  "  I  asked  a  burly  sutler  who 
was  exchanging  signals  Avith  a  friend  on  the  cliff  we  were  now 
approaching. 

"  Grant's  headquarters,""  was  the  laconic  response.  "  Guess 
this  is  your  first  visit  here,  seeing  you  didn't  know  Grant's 
camp." 

"Yes,"  I  replied:  "I've  been  in  hospital  ever  since  the 
Wilderness." 

"  So  !  why,  I  have  lost  and  made  a  fortune  since  then.  Had 
mighty  bad  luck  at  the  White  House :  army  moved  too  quick," 
said  the  sutler  half  in  soliloquy.  "  Well,  you'll  find  it  mighty 
queer  work  here,  among  the  ditches  and  bomb-proofs,  I  can  tell 
you." 

I  nodded  in  silence,  having  no  sympathy  with  the  sutler's 
gains  or  losses.  A  few  minutes  after,  the  steamer  touched  the 
wharf,  and  I  was  on  shore. 

"  Oh !  your  corps  is  away  in  the  extreme  left  of  the  line," 
said  an  officer  I  had  approached  for  information.  "  Just  get  on 
top  of  the  first  car  you  come  to,  and  go  as  far  as  they  will  take 
you." 

Before  I  could  return  thanks  for  this  concise  and  lucid  expla- 
nation, an  officer  in  the  uniform  of  my  own  regiment  pushed 
through  the  crowd.     It  was  my  old  friend  Dennis. 

"  An'  hev  ye  come  at  last?  Bedad,  it's  mesilf  that's  glad  to 
see  ye,"  was  his  salutation,  as  he  threw  his  arms  around  me. 

"  How  is  the  regiment?     Is  the  colonel  well  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  The  boys  are  all  well,  those  of  'em  that's  left ;  and  won't 
the  colonel  be  deloighted  to  see  ye ! " 

"  Not  more  so  than  I  will.  But,  Dennis,  when  did  you  get 
your  commission  ?  Colonel  Harding  did  not  mention  it  in  his 
letters." 

"  That  was  to  be  a  surproise  to  ye.  It  was  only  last  week 
that  I  got  the  sthrap  on  my  shoulder,  an'  moighty  quare  it  feels 


386  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

even  now.  But  the  colonel  said  Idesarved  it;  so  here  I  am  wid 
a  gould  laced  cap  and  sword,  loike  yersilf." 

"  I  am  delighted,  Dennis.  You  were  luckier  than  I  in  getting 
back  to  the  regiment.     When  was  it?  " 

"  Jist  afther  Could  Harbor,  which  I  wasn't  sorry  to  miss.  Ah, 
Frank !  whin  you  parted  from  me  in  that  hot  corner  in  the  Wil- 
dherness,  an'  I  saw  ye  runnin'  to  catch  up  wid  the  b'yes,  I  felt 
like  cryin'  because  I  wasn't  wid  ye.  But  I  knew  it  was  no 
use,  so  started  back.  An'  Avhin  I  heard  ye  had  been  killed,  me 
heart  was  broke  intoirely.  But  Avhin  the  papers  at  Alexandria 
said  that  ye  hadn't  bin  dead  at  all,  but  was  aloive  and  kickin', 
why,  I  got  well  right  off,  and  kem  out  for  another  bit  of  the 
shindy.     Hev  ye  any  baggage?" 

"Only  this  valise,"  I  replied,  smiling  at  the  rapidity  with 
which  Dennis  jumped  from  one  subject  to  another. 

"  Well,  we  mustn't  sthand  here  talkin'  all  day,  or  we'll  miss 
the  train ; "  and  Dennis  began  elbowing  his  way  through  the 
crowd  still  gathered  on  the  landing-stage. 

Following  him,  I  clambered  to  the  roof  of  a  car ;  and  we  were 
soon  moving  towards  that  ever-receding  line,  "  the  front."  At 
Washington  I  heard  a  passenger,  bound  for  Fortress  Monroe, 
remark  to  a  friend  on  the  dock  that  he  was  going  to  the  front. 
At  the  Fortress,  people  spoke  of  City  Point  as  the  front; 
and  now  I  was  leaving  the  Point  itself  in  search  of  the  mys- 
terious line ;  only  to  learn,  on  reaching  my  quarters,  that  the 
picket-trenches  were  the  only  front  the  soldiers  now  recognized. 

The  trip  from  City  Point  to  Warren  Station,  a  distance  of 
eleven  miles,  was  peculiarly  interesting  to  me.  Scarcely  had 
our  train  emerged  from  the  deep  cut  in  the  cliff,  when  Dennis 
pointed  to  a  long  line  of  fresh  earth  on  our  right  about  a  mile 
away. 

"  Do  ye  see  thim  breastworks,  Frank  ?  "  said  he. 

"  Yes.     What  of  them  ?  " 

"  Well,  that's  the  first  trenches  the  b'yes  dug,  after  crossin' 
the  river ;  and  now  there's  more  than  fifty  miles  of  'em." 


BY  MINE  AND  SAP.  387 

"  Fifty  miles  !  "  said  I  in  surprise.  "  Why,  you  said  our  corps 
was  only  thirteen  miles  from  the  Point." 

"An'  it  isn't  any  more.  Ye  forgit  the  approaches,  and  the 
parallels,  and  the  forts,  and  the  curtains,  and  the  divil  knows 
what  all.     Shure,  they're  loike  burrows  in  a  rabbit-warren." 

The  intrenchments  were  not  the  only  evidence  of  the  pres- 
ence of  our  army,  for  the  ground  was  bare.  Not  a  rail  or  a 
post  remained  to  mark  the  fields ;  and  every  tree  and  shrub  for 
miles  around  had  been  swept  away  to  supply  timber  for  the 
bomb-proofs,  or  fuel  for  fires.  Even  shade-trees  had  been  sac- 
rificed, a  broad  expanse  of  blackened  stumps  alone  indicating 
where  woods  and  groves  had  once  gladdened  the  landscape. 

Passing  over  a  high  trestle  of  rough  poles,  we  crossed  a  wide 
ravine,  through  which  trickled  a  dirtj'-looking  creek ;  and  then 
we  dashed  on  over  the  undulating  svirface  of  the  land.  Unlike 
most  railroads  I  had  seen,  there  was  no  attempt  made  here  to 
grade  the  track :  so  the  train  rose  and  fell  in  its  progress  like  a 
ship  rolling  on  the  billows  of  the  sea.  The  jolting  over  the 
rudely  laid  rails  was  terrific,  making  it  difficult  to  retain  our 
seats  as  the  cars  rocked  to  and  fro  beneath  us.  Reaching 
Meade  Station,  near  the  center  of  the  siege-line,  we  ran  quite 
close  to  the  fortifications,  and  I  saw  a  brigade  at  drill  in  a  wide 
hollow. 

"  What  road  is  this  ?  "  said  I  to  Dennis  as  we  passed  an  old- 
fashioned  roadway,  the  wide  ditches  and  ragged  hedges  betray- 
ing its  character. 

"  The  Jerusalem  plank,"  replied  Dennis.  "  Though  the 
planks  hev  gone  into  the  breastworks  long  ago.  That  big  fort 
down  there  beyant  is  Fort  Hell.     Begorra  !  it's  well  named." 

Following  Dennis's  finger  with  my  eye,  I  saw  a  great  mound 
of  earth  rising  like  a  gigantic  ant-hill.  As  I  looked,  a  puff  of 
smoke  rose  above  the  fort,  and  a  deafening  detonation  filled 
the  air. 

"  Be  jabers  !  an'  they're  at  it  agin  !  "  exclaimed  my  compan- 
ion.    "  It's  not  often  they're  quiet  down  there." 


a88  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

The  puff  of  smoke  grew  larger,  and  the  sound  of  other  can- 
non came  to  my  ears ;  while  more  distant  reports  showed  that 
the  Confederates  were  replying.  The  rapidly  moving  train, 
however,  did  not  permit  our  seeing  the  result  of  the  artillery 
duel. 

"  I  wonder  if  we  are  to  get  a  shot  ourselves,"  said  Dennis,  as 
he  peered  attentively  towards  the  line. 

"  Why,  can  they  fire  at  the  trains  ? '" 

"  Troth,  an'  they  can  ;  and,  what's  more,  they  do  —  bad  'cess 
to  them !  A  bit  furdher  on,  the  train  runs  through  a  ditch 
because  of  the  murdhering  shells." 

As  if  to  emphasize  Dennis's  words,  a  shell  at  that  moment 
went  shrieking  over  our  heads. 

"  Hurroo  !  Didn't  I  tell  ye?  It's  lucky  we're  moving,  or  they 
moight  be  putting  a  shell  into  the  ammynition." 

"  Ammunition !  Is  there  any  on  board  this  train  ?  "  I  ex- 
claimed, startled  at  the  suggestion. 

"  Ye  may  Avell  say  that,"  responded  Dennis  coolly.  "  Shure, 
the  car  we're  sittin'  on  is  crammed  to  the  muzzle  wid  powdher. 
If  a  shell  hits  it,  we'll  all  be  blown  to  the  moon." 

Laughing  at  Dennis's  grim  humor,  I  clung  to  my  seat  as  the 
train  rushed  into  a  cutting ;  the  ridge  of  earth  thrown  up  being 
intended  as  a  protection,  the  necessity  therefor  being  shown 
by  a  shattered  locomotive  lying  a  little  distance  off.  As  we 
plunged  into  the  ditch,  —  for  it  was  nothing  more,  —  with  a 
lurch  that  threatened  to  sweep  us  all  from  the  roof,  both  Den- 
nis and  I  were  suddenly  sprinkled  with  a  shower  of  sand. 

"Arrah!  an' wasn't  that  close  quarthers?"  exclaimed  Lieu- 
tenant Malone,  shaking  himself.     "How  d'ye  loike  that?" 

"  Why,  it  was  only  a  little  dirt  Idown  from  tlie  bank,"  I  re- 
plied contentedly. 

"  Blown  from  the  bank  ?  You're  right,  me  b'ye  ;  but  it  was 
not  the  wind,  but  a  shell  that  struck  there  above  us.  Shure, 
they've  got  the  range  beautifully." 

"  Upon  my  word,  Dennis,  this  is  exciting  traveling  !  " 


BY  MINE  AND   SAP. 


389 


"  Isn't  it?  I  thought  ye'dloike  it,"  replied  Dennis  confidently. 
"  But  then  it  is  nothin'  whin  ye  git  used  to  it,  as  the  eel  said 
whin  he  was  bein'  skinned." 

So  this  was  siege-life !  How  different  from  the  long  and 
rapid   marches,  the   picket-posts  on  river-banks  and  in  shady 


.^ f^^ 


GOING  TO  CAMP  UNDER  FIRE. 


woods,  or  the  skirmishes  and  battles  in  field  and  forest !  Com- 
pelled to  burrow  like  moles  in  the  ground,  the  troops  were 
exposed  to  shell  and  shot  by  day  and  night.  The  angry  bark 
of  mortars,  and  the  sullen  boom  of  siege-cannon,  were  ever  in 
the  ear;  the  reverberating  thunder  of  the  heavier  ordnance 
being  only  enlivened  by  the  rattle  of  musketry  as  the  pickets 
were  roused  into  sudden  action.  Even  as  I  mused  over  the 
change,   the    confused    sounds    of    the    never-ending    conflict 


390  BULLET  AND    SHELL. 

deafened  me ;  and  it  was  a  relief  to  find  the  train  leaving  the 
vicinity  of  the  main  line. 

We  were  now  on  comparatively  new  ground ;  for  the  woods 
were  as  yet  untouched,  and  the  hedges  more  trim  and  even  in 
their  outlines.  Large  bodies  of  troops  lay  here  encamped, 
evidently  in  reserve.  Next  we  came  to  the  camp  of  the 
cavalry  division ;  and  in  a  few  minutes  more  the  train  dashed 
through  a  sea  of  army-wagons,  and  halted  at  a  long  platform. 

"  This  is  Warren  Station,  and  yonder  is  our  amby-lance,"  said 
Dennis,  scrambling  down  from  the  car. 

Descending  from  my  perch  on  the  roof,  with  stiffened  limbs, 
I  was  an  hour  afterward  in  our  regimental  camp. 

My  brother  officers  received  me  warmly,  but  there  were  only 
five  or  six  of  those  who  entered  the  charge  with  me  at  the 
Wilderness.  Among  the  new  faces,  I  recognized  several  ser- 
geants who  had  earned  promotions  during  my  absence.  To  my 
surprise,  they  greeted  me  by  the  title  of  Major ! 

"  Ye  see,  Frank,  I  wasn't  to  tell  ye,"  said  Dennis  in  answer 
to  my  question.     "Colonel  Harding  intended  it  as  a  surprise." 

But  at  what  a  cost  had  I  attained  my  rank !  All  my  seniors 
at  the  beginning  of  the  campaign  •^vere  now  either  dead,  or 
disabled  for  life.     Such  are  the  chances  and  vicissitudes  of  war. 


IN  FORT  AND  FIELD. 


391 


CHAPTER   XXXIV. 


IN   FOKT   AND   FIELD. 


A  scaly  gauntlet  now,  with  points  of  steel, 
Must  glove  this  hand." 

ERY  long  absence  now  made  siege-life  any- 
thing but  tedious  to  me,  however  monoto- 
uous  it  might  be  to  my  comrades.  Though  I 
could  no  longer  volunteer  for  picket-duty,  my 
rank  gave  me  frequent  command  of  our  bri- 
gade-line ;  and  I  never  wearied  of  the  excite- 
ment to  be  found  in  the  advanced  trenches. 
Indeed,  I  often  amused  myself,  while  off  duty, 
by  visiting  the  center;  and  passed  many  a 
night  in  the  forts,  watching  huge  bell-mouthed 
'  '  mortars  send  ten-inch  shells  into  the  enemy's 

works,  or  listening  to  the  fierce  cross-fire  of 
solid  shot  as  it  played  across  the  front  of  our  fort  from  neigh- 
boring redoubts  ,  the  active  pickets  in  the  trenches  below  add- 
ing to  the  din  by  their  sharp  and  continuous  volleys,  the  men 
lying  enveloped  in  the  smoke  of  our  guns.  The  Confederate 
fortifications  would  soon  be  concealed  by  heavy  banks  of  smoke, 
through  which  vivid  flashes  constantly  played,  as  the  gunners 
replied  to  our  iron  hail.  Now  and  then  a  missile  would  go 
whizzing  over  our  heads,  or  come  crashing  through  the  earth- 
work, scattering  gravel  and  sand  in  all  directions.  A  groan 
often  betrayed  the  effect  of  these  visitors,  and  two  or  three  men 
would  go  crawling  to  the  rear  in  search  of  a  surgeon.  Hour 
after  hour  would  slip  away,  yet  the  tremendous  roar  and  rattle 


392  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

seldom  ceased  until  cannon  and  mortar  grew  too  hot  to  handle. 
Then  piece  after  piece  would  gradually  slacken  its  fire,  and 
finally  become  mute,  the  picket-firing  being  checked,  and  a 
portentous  silence  falling  upon  the  scene.  Then,  as  the  white 
smoke  lifted  from  parapet  and  trench,  the  outlines  of  the  op- 
posing lines  became  once  more  visible,  and  the  sun's  rays  again 
shone  over  the  marred  and  shattered  landscape. 

These  bombardments,  though  exciting  and  thrilling  enough 
in  the  sunshine,  were  exceeded  in  their  awful  grandeur  when 
witnessed  in  the  night.  Standing  by  the  side  of  a  silent  Parrott 
gun,  whose  huge  dimensions  towered  above  my  head,  I  leaned 
with  Dennis  one  evening  over  the  parapet,  gazing  with  curious 
eyes  on  the  combat.  The  flashes  of  the  opposing  cannon  were 
so  frequent  that  the  outlying  fortifications  on  both  sides  of  the 
struggle  were  clearly  visible  in  the  darkness ;  Avhile  narrow  rib- 
bons of  fire  ran  fitfully  u]3  and  down  the  advanced  trenches,  like 
oil  burning  on  water,  as  the  opposing  pickets  maintained  an 
angry,  incessant  fusillade  on  each  other.  The  ground  beneath 
my  feet  actually  trembled  under  the  repeated  concussions;  until 
it  seemed  as  if  I  were  standing  on  the  brink  of  a  volcano, 
instead  of  watching  a  deadly  artillery  duel  between  two  great 
armies. 

Fascinated  by  the  spectacle  enacted  before  my  eyes,  and 
awed  by  the  awful  detonations  of  the  heavy  siege-guns,  the 
sharp  rattle  of  musketry,  or  the  dull  reverberations  of  bursting 
bombs,  I  forgot  the  danger  of  the  moment  until  recalled  to  my 
senses  by  a  monster  shell  tumbling  into  the  traverse  we  occu- 
pied. As  the  blazing  bomb  fizzed  and  sputtered  at  my  feet, 
Dennis  seized  my  arm,  and  dragged  me  into  the  next  compart- 
ment. He  was  not  a  moment  too  soon  ;  for,  as  we  gained  the 
other  side  of  the  wall  of  gabions  and  sand-bags,  the  missile 
exploded. 

'■'  Moses  in  the  bulrushes !  but  that  was  touch  an'  go," 
exclaimed  Dennis,  as  we  instinctively  shrank  from  the  bits  of 
iron  whistling  over  our  heads.     "  Arrah,  Frank !  why  will  ye 


IN  FORT  AND  FIELD.  395 

tinipt  Providence  in  this  way?  It's  bad  enough  to  take  our 
turn  on  the  line  when  it  comes,  but  coming  here  whin  we 
moight  be  lyin'  shnug  in  the  bomb-proofs  isn't  the  thing  at  all." 

"If  you  don't  like  it,  why  did  you  insist  on  coming  with 
me  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Why  did  I  ?  Why,  because  ye  couldn't  take  care  o'  yersilf 
alone,  tliough  ye  are  a  major.  But  it's  small  thanks  I  get  for 
comin',  anyway." 

"  Come,  come,  Dennis :  you  know  I  am  glad  to  have  you  by 
my  side." 

"  Then  why  foind  fault  wid  me  ?  " 

Touched  b}^  my  comrade's  devotion,  I  grasped  his  honest 
hand  in  silence,  as  we  continued  to  watch  the  jirogress  of  the 
midnight  engagement. 

The  whole  of  our  line  was  now  engaged ;  and  the  roar  of  the 
guns  deepened  as  the  increased  torrent  of  shot  and  shell  poured 
across  the  ground  between  us  and  the  enemy,  until  we  knew 
that  fully  five  hundred  pieces  of  artillery  were  in  action. 
Looking  up  and  down  our  line,  I  could  see  luminous  clouds  of 
smoke  rising,  and  enveloping  the  land ;  the  flashes  from  the 
guns  giving  an  unearthly  light  to  the  scene,  while  bursting 
shells  in  mid-air  added  to  the  glare.  For  hours  did  this  cease- 
less cannonading  continue,  only  slackening  when  the  first  faint 
streaks  of  daylight  appeared  in  the  east.  Then,  and  then  only, 
did  the  exhausted  artillerists  pause  in  their  horrid  work,  and 
the  thunder  perceptibly  lessened  in  volume  as  the  sun  reddened 
the  horizon. 

Rousing  Dennis,  —  for  he  had  been  quietly  sleeping  at  my 
side  for  over  an  hour,  —  we  retraced  our  steps  to  our  camp; 
finding  on  our  arrival  that  orders  had  been  issued  for  the  corps 
to  go  on  a  reconnoissance  towards  the  Meherrin  River. 

All  was  now  bustle  and  excitement,  for  the  prospect  of  a 
change  from  siege-duty  to  that  of  open  campaigning  was  a 
delightful  prospect  to  both  officers  and  men.  Knapsacks  were 
speedily  packed,  extra  ammunition  served  out,  and  ten  days' 


394  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

rations  of  hard-bread,  coffee,  and  sugar,  safely  stored  away  in 
the  haversacks ;  shelter-tents  were  rolled  up,  pack-horses  laden 
Avith  officers'  stores,  and  a  long  train  of  wagons  stood  in  park, 
ready  for  the  road.  By  ten  o'clock  all  was  in  readiness ;  and 
at  the  sound  of  our  bugles  the  corps  marched  to  the  rear, 
towards  the  Jerusalem  road,  a  strong  body  of  cavalry  cover- 
ing the  advance  of  our  column. 

Amid  the  bustle  of  our  preparations,  I  received  a  summons 
from  General  Fletcher  to  join  his  staff,  so  rode  gayly  forward 
to  the  head  of  our  brigade.  The  day  was  bright  and  clear ;  the 
December  frost  being  just  sufficient  to  keep  the  road  in  good 
order,  and  lessen  the  fatigue  of  the  men  as  they  marched  for- 
ward under  their  heavy  loads  of  clothing  and  food.  As  we 
passed  through  the  woods,  and  lost  sight  of  the  intrenchments 
before  the  beleaguered  city  of  Petersburg,  squirrels  scampered 
up  the  trees  and  chattered  noisily  at  our  intrusion,  while  a  few 
belated  birds  flitted  among  the  branches.  A  march  of  six 
miles  brought  us  to  the  side  of  a  stream ;  and,  going  into  biv- 
ouac under  the  trees,  Ave  slept  as  only  tired  soldiers  can. 

"  General  Fletcher,"  said  an  aide  from  the  corps-staff",  as  we 
began  the  march  at  sunrise  the  next  morning,  "  General  Ayres 
requests  you  to  send  an  officer  down  that  road,  to  see  that  the 
stragglers  get  no  apple-jack." 

"  Major  Wilmot,  will  you  please  ride  down,  and  see  that  the 
general's  orders  are  obeyed?"  said  the  brigadier,  as  he  returned 
the  aide's  salute. 

Lifting  my  cap  in  acknowledgment,  I  galloped  off.  About 
a  mile  down  the  road  I  came  to  a  clearing,  with  an  old-fash- 
ioned Virginia  mansion  in  its  midst.  Around  the  house  were 
several  infantry  soldiers,  who  prowled  about  evidently  in  search 
of  something  to  carry  off.  At  the  sound  of  my  horse's  feet 
they  began  scattering.  Riding  through  the  gate,  I  perceived 
an  elderly  man  and  two  women  on  the  veranda. 

"Come,  men,  get  back  to  your  regiments! "  I  shouted  to  the 
stragglers.     "  What  are  you  doing  here  ?  " 


IN  FORT  AND  FIELD.  395 

"  They  are  looking  for  apple-jack,"  said  the  planter ;  "  an' 
I've  bin  a-telling  'em  they'll  not  find  any  here." 

"  I  am  glad  of  it,"  was  my  reply,  as  I  watched  the  men  sul- 
lenly move  off  towards  the  road  over  which  the  corps  was 
moving. 

"  Will  3'ou  step  in,  sir,  and  have  some  breakfast  ? "  said  the 
youngest  of  the  two  women,  a  scarlet  jacket  setting  off  her 
pretty  figure  to  great  advantage ;  a  fact  she  seemed  to  fully 
appreciate,  judging  by  her  coquettish  glances. 

"  Thank  you,  miss.  Breakfast  in  times  like  these  is  not  to 
be  despised  or  refused." 

Entering  the  house,  I  was  soon  enjoying  a  bountiful  meal,  my 
entertainers  being  very  grateful  to  me  for  driving  away  the 
stragglers.  They  were  naturally  curious  as  to  the  meaning  of 
our  movement,  it  being  the  first  time  so  large  a  body  of  troops 
had  passed  that  way ;  but  I  was  almost  as  ignorant  as  them- 
selves, so  could  give  them  very  little  information.  As  I  rose 
from  the  table,  we  were  startled  by  the  sound  of  horsemen. 
Fearing  a  trap,  I  ran  to  the  door,  to  find  the  lawn  in  possession 
of  a  troop  of  Federal  cavalry. 

"  Halloa,  major  !  What  are  you  doing  here  all  alone  ?  "  ex- 
claimed the  ofiBcer  in  command. 

"  Driving  up  stragglers,"  I  replied.   ''  May  I  ask  your  errand  ?  " 

"  Searching  for  apple-jack." 

"  You  will  find  none  here.  This  old  gentleman  assures  me  he 
has  none,"  said  I. 

"  I'm  not  so  sure  of  that,"  replied  the  lieutenant.  "  Some  of 
you  men  go  into  the  cellar  and  look." 

Two  or  three  obeyed,  but  soon  returned  with  the  informa- 
tion that  they  could  find  no  liquor. 

"  Lucky  for  them,"  said  the  officer.  "  If  we  had  found 
apple-jack,  it  would  have  been  spilled  on  the  grass ;  but  we 
mustn't  go  empty-handed." 

"Why,  what  else  do  you  want?"  I  asked,  wondering  what 
he  meant. 


396 


BULLET  AND    SHELL. 


"  Something  to  eat,  to  be  sure.  Sergeant,  what  is  that  over 
there  ?  "  and  the  officer  pointed  to  a  rude  table  of  split  logs  in 
the  rear  yard. 

"Them's  my  hogs,  sir,"  said  the  old  man:  "we  killed  'em 
last  night." 

"  Pork,  eh  !     Just  the  thing." 

"  Surely  you  will  not  rob  these  people  of  their  provisions  ?  " 
said  I  indignantly. 


Ml:  rer-=^ 


FORAGING  ON  THE   ENEjrr. 


"  You  just  wait  and  see,"  he  replied  nonchalantly,  as  he 
nodded  to  his  men. 

They  were  quick  to  take  the  hint,  and  running  eagerly  to 
the  pile  of  hams  and  shoulders  soon  had  them  scattered  and 
fastened  to  their  saddles. 

"  Come,  major,  you  had  better  ride  with  us  :  these  woods  are 
getting  dangerous,"  said  the  lieutenant,  as  he  gave  his  men  the 
order  to  mount. 

Disgusted  at  the  barefaced  robbery  I  had  witnessed  but 
could  not  prevent,  I  made  my  acknowledgments  to  my  hosts, 


IN  FORT  AND  FIELD.  397 

leaped  into  my  saddle,  and  rode  after  the  detachment,  though 
I  did  not  soon  forget  the  indignation  visible  on  the  faces  of 
those  who  had  treated  me  so  hospitably. 

The  movement  we  had  undertaken  occupied  ten  days ;  the 
infantry  finding  nothing  to  do  but  listen  to  the  sharp  skirmish- 
ing of  the  cavalry  in  front,  until  we  reached  the  river  and  the 
line  of  the  Weldon  Railroad.  After  destroying  a  couple  of 
bridges,  we  next  tore  up  the  track  for  a  distance  of  twenty 
miles,  and  warped  the  rails  by  placing  them  on  piles  of  blazing 
ties.  It  was  hot  and  suffocating  work  though,  for  the  smoke 
from  the  countless  §res  filled  the  woods  and  parched  our 
throats. 

As  night  fell  on  the  second  day  after  this  work  of  demolition 
and  destruction  had  begun,  I  repaired  to  brigade  headquarters, 
tired  and  hungry  by  my  exertions ;  being  glad  to  find,  on  my 
arrival,  that  the  general  and  staff  were  beginning  supper. 

"  Why,  there's  Osborne  ! "  exclaimed  Lieutenant  Jenkins  as 
the  clatter  of  knives  and  forks  commenced :  "  I'll  call  him  over. 
He'll  get  his  supper,  and  we'll  get  the  news." 

"  Sit  down,  Mr.  Osborne,"  said  General  Fletcher,  as  the  cor- 
respondent rode  up  in  response  to  Jenkins's  hail.  "  I  presume 
you  are  hungry  like  the  rest  of  us." 

"  Hunger  is  no  ■s'v^ord  for  it,  general,"  replied  Osborne.  "  I'm 
famished,  for  I  have  eaten  nothing  but  a  few  biscuits,  since 
breakfast." 

"What's  going  on  down  by  the  river?"  asked  one  of  the 
staff.     "  I  heard  heavy  firing  about  noon." 

"  Oh !  Wilson  made  a  dash  across  with  a  few  regiments,  and 
so  took  the  bridge,"  replied  Osborne.  "  It's  a  whopper,  and  will 
make  a  mighty  big  blaze  to-night.  After  that  is  gone,  the  rail- 
road will  be  entirely  useless  to  Lee.  We  shall  probably  start 
back  some  time  to-morrow." 

The  meal  over,  we  stretched  ourselves  before  the  great  fire 
built  by  the  orderlies,  and  smoking  our  pipes  chatted  over  the 
events  of  the  campaign. 


398  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Osborne,  what  was  that  you  had  tied  to  your  saddle  when 
you  rode  up  ?  "  asked  young  Jenkins. 

"Only  half  a  dozen  chickens,"  replied  the  correspondent, 
with  a  laugh. 

"  Foraging,  eh  ?  "  remarked  General  Fletcher.  "  Don't  you 
know  foraging  is  strictly  forbidden,  except  to  the  cavalry  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes  !  I  know,"  indolently  responded  Osborne.  "  That 
was  just  what  General  Warren  asked  me  down  the  road." 

"  And  what  did  you  say  to  him  ?  "  asked  the  general  with  a 
smile  of  amusement  on  his  face. 

"Well,  you  see,  general,"  said  Osborne,  refilling  his  brier- 
wood  pipe,  "I  went  down  to  the  bridge  where  the  cavalry 
were  fighting,  just  to  see  if  I  couldn't  find  something  pictur- 
esque to  put  into  my  dispatches,  and  found  a  lot  of  cavalry- 
men at  a  house  near  by,  chasing  chickens.  One  of  the  men 
recognized  me,  and  offered  me  some  of  the  fowls ;  which  I  of 
course  accepted,  and  tied  to  my  saddle,  at  the  same  time  giving 
the  fellow  a  dollar  to  buy  tobacco  with.  On  riding  back,  who 
should  I  see  but  General  Warren,  standing  on  a  stump  by  the 
side  of  the  road,  watching  the  cavalry  skirmish  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river !  Just  as  I  was  passing  him,  the  confounded 
chickens  gave  a  flutter,  and  so  frightened  my  horse  that  he 
wheeled  clean  round  and  exposed  my  plunder." 

"  You  were  nicely  caught,  Charley,"  said  the  brigade  surgeon. 

"  Wasn't  I  ?  Well,  the  general  of  course  wanted  to  know 
where  I  got  them.  Remembering  the  dollar,  I  boldly  said  I 
had  bought  and  paid  for  them.  General  Warren  shook  his 
head  as  if  he  doubted  my  assertion,  but  waved  his  hand  in 
dismissal,  and  continned  his  observations  of  the  movement  in 
front.     So  I  took  the  hint,  and  rode  on." 

"  Well,  you  got  out  of  the  scrape  rather  luckily,"  said  Major 
Curtis,  the  adjutant-general,  when  we  had  ceased  laughing  over 
the  incident.  "  You  newspaper  men  have  fine  times  of  it,  rid- 
ing all  over  the  country  just  as  you  please.  I  often  envy  you 
correspondents,  for  the  life  must  be  an  easy  one." 


IN  FORT  AND  FIELD.  399 

"Not  so  easy  as  you  fellows  imagine,"  replied  Osborne:  "we 
run  many  a  danger  you  do  not  dream  of." 

"  Of  course  you  go  under  fire  now  and  then,"  said  Major 
Curtis,  "or  you  couldn't  describe  the  battles  as  you  do.  But 
what  I  mean  is,  that  you  have  so  much  freedom." 

"  Queer  freedom,"  retorted  the  correspondent  disdauifully. 
"  I  don't  deny  the  life  has  its  attractions  and  fascinations. 
But  when  a  battle  is  over  your  work  is  done,  and  you  can  rest ; 
while  the  hardest  part  of  mine  commences,  for  then  we  must 
write  our  descriptions,  and  frequently  risk  our  lives  in  getting 
to  the  rear  in  order  to  send  them  off.  Why,  do  you  know,  I 
saw  the  battle  of  Winchester  under  Sheridan  in  the  Shenan- 
doah Valley,  and  your  fight  at  Peebles's  farm,  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  in  the  same  week." 

"  Oh !  come,  now,  Osborne.  Two  battles  in  two  different 
armies  in  one  week,"  said  Major  Curtis  incredulously,  —  "  isn't 
that  a  little  steep  ?  " 

"Not  at  all.  But  it's  a  pretty  long  story:  perhaps  you 
would  not  care  to  hear  it." 

"  Tell  it,  by  all  means,  Mr.  Osborne,"  said  the  general :  "  I 
am  sure  it  will  prove  interesting." 

Thus  encouraged,  Osborne  laid  aside  his  pipe,  stretched  him- 
self into  a  more  comfortable  position  on  his  blanket,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  tell  the  story  which  will  be  found  in  my  next 
chapter. 


400 


BULLET  AND  SHELL. 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 


THE   COKRESPOXDEXT  S   STORY. 

"  The  keen  spirit 
Seizes  the  prompt  occasion,  —  makes  the  thought 
Start  iuto  instant  service." 


HE  major  over  there  knows  that  I  spent 
several  weeks  List  summer  in  the  Valley  of 
tlie  Shenandoah.  At  the  time  of  which  I 
speak,  Sheridan  and  Early  had  been  for  sev- 
eral weeks  marching  up  and  down  after  one 
another ;  and  the  two  armies  were  facing  each 
other  near  Mount  Summit.  Our  troops  liad 
thrown  up  a  line  of  breastworks  just  beyond 
Charlestown,  —  where  old  John  Brown  was 
hung,  you  know.  Every  thing  was  provok- 
ingly  quiet  and  uninteresting,  viewed  from  a 
correspondent's  standpoint.  The  seat  of  war 
seemed  to  have  drifted  away  from  that  section,  and  I  began  to 
think  there  would  be  no  more  fighting  in  the  Valley. 

Others  besides  myself  believed  that  Sheridan's  scope  of 
offensive  operations  was  at  an  end ;  for  my  chief,  in  the  office, 
ordered  me  to  proceed  to  the  lines  before  Petersburg.  I  gladly 
obeyed,  and,  reaching  Washington  in  due  time,  applied  for  a 
pass  to  City  Point. 

I  need  not  remind  any  of  you  that  red-tape  is  a  staple  article 
at  the  capital,  so  I  was  not  surprised  at  being  told  that  the 
pass  would  not  be  ready  for  a  day  or  two.  As  that  probably 
meant  a  week,  I  decided  to  visit  some  friends  in  Baltimore. 


THE  CORRESPONDENT' S   STORY.  401 

On  Sunday  moming,  the  memorable  18th  of  September,  as 
I  was  sitting  on  the  piazza  of  Barnum's  Hotel,  I  was  handed 
the  following  telegram  :  — 

"  Harper's  Ferry,  Va.,  Sept.  18, 18G4. 
"  To  Charles  Osborne,  Correspondent. 

"  Your  horse  is  dead.  Will  get  you  another.  Will  need  two  hun- 
dred dollars.  "STEVE." 

This,  of  course,  was  a  message  in  cipher.  It  had  been  sent 
by  an  old  friend  of  mine,  a  staff-officer  on  duty  at  the  Ferry. 
Translated  by  the  code  we  had  arranged  for  such  emergencies, 
it  conveyed  to  me  the  following  information  :  — 

"Every  thing  is  in  motion  here  and  at  the  front.  A  battle  is 
imminent.     I  think  it  will  be  a  decisive  one.     Come  up  at  once." 

It  was  all  very  well  for  Major  Post  to  say,  "  come  up ; "  but 
there  was  no  train,  it  being  Sunday,  and  I  knew  that  Sheridan 
would  not  wait  an  hour,  let  alone  a  day,  for  all  the  correspond- 
ents in  the  country.  It  was  quite  evident  to  my  mind,  as  I 
sat  there  twiddling  the  telegram  in  my  fingers,  that  the  move- 
ment on  foot  must  be  an  important  one  ;  for,  if  my  staff  friend 
thought  so,  he  had  good  solid  grounds  for  his  opinions. 
Besides,  I  remembered  that  Grant  had  visited  Sheridan  a  few 
days  before,  and  probably  planned  it  with  him. 

But  there  I  sat,  over  a  hundred  miles  from  the  scene  of 
operations,  and  no  train  before  the  morning.  If  Sheridan  was 
already  moving,  as  the  dispatch  indicated,  he  would  probably 
fight  the  next  day ;  and  unless  I  reached  the  field  before  noon 
I  could  do  nothing.     It  was  apparently  a  hopeless  case. 

All  at  once  I  began  to  see  daylight,  and  some  hopes  of  suc- 
cess. 

I  must  first  tell  you  that  in  the  early  part  of  the  summer, 
when  Hunter  was  skedaddling  towards  the  Ferry,  after  one  of 
his  brief  skirmishes,  I  was  accidentally  able  to  render  a  good 
bit  of  service  to  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad. 


402  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

I  had  left  Hunter's  main  force,  and  succeeded  in  reaching 
Harper's  Ferry  before  it  was  known  there  that  he  was  falling 
back.  On  arriving  at  the  railroad-platform,  I  noticed  that 
there  were  but  few  cars  lying  under  the  hill,  and  on  inquiry 
learned  that  two  or  three  freight-trains  had  gone  up  to  Mar- 
tinsburg  a  few  hours  before.  Nobody  at  the  Ferry  seemed  to 
be  aware  that  Hunter's  flank  had  been  turned;  but  I  knew  that 
the  enemy  were  marching  direct  for  Martinsburg,  if  they  had 
not  already  entered  the  town,  I  therefore  decided  on  a  bold 
stroke. 

You  see,  I  realized  that  if  the  Confederates  burned  the 
railroad-bridge  just  below  Martinsburg,  as  they  had  often  done 
before,  these  trains  would  be  captured  and  destroyed.  Enter- 
ing the  telegraph-office,  I  wrote  a  message  to  the  station-master, 
ordering  him  to  start  down  all  the  locomotives  and  cars  in  his 
hands,  at  the  same  time  telling  him  of  his  danger. 

The  astonished  operator  hesitated  at  first  to  accept  my  dis- 
patch, knowing  very  well  that  I  had  no  authority  on  the  road; 
but  on  my  assuring  him  that  there  was  no  time  to  lose,  the 
message  was  soon  flashed  to  its  destination. 

It  did  not  go  a  moment  too  soon.  In  less  than  ten  minutes 
after  my  warning  arrived,  locomotive  after  locomotive  rattled 
down  the  road  towards  the  Ferry. 

The  three  trains  crossed  the  bridge  in  safety.  It  was  a 
narrow  escape,  though ,  for  as  the  station-master  stood  on  the 
rear  platform  of  the  last  train,  and  saw  the  timbers  of  the 
bridge  glide  under  his  feet,  the  sharp  rattle  of  musketry  broke 
on  his  ear,  a  few  of  the  bullets  crashing  through  the  windows 
of  the  car  at  his  back.  The  bridge  was  actually  in  flames 
before  the  trains  were  out  of  sight:  so  there  was  great  glee 
among  the  railroad-officials,  over  the  escape  of  their  rolling- 
stock. 

When  Mr.  Smith,  the  master  of  transportation,  learned  how 
the  trains  had  been  warned  by  me,  he  promised  me  any  facility 
he  could  extend  in  the  future,  as  a  return  for  the  service. 


THE  CORBESPONDENT-S   STORY.  403 

So,  as  I  sat  fumbling  the  provost-marshars  cipher  message,  I 
remembered  this  promise,  and  at  once  decided  to  avail  myself 
of  it. 

Taking  a  cab,  I  started  in  search  of  Mr.  Smith,  finding  him 
at  church,  where  I  explained  the  situation,  and  my  anxiety  to 
reach  the  valley  that  day. 

"  You  shall  have  a  locomotive,  Osborne,"  said  he.  "  Come  ! 
drive  me  over  to  the  depot." 

Half  an  hour  after,  I  was  seated  in  the  cab  of  an  engine, 
whirling  over  the  rails  for  my  destination.  It  was  an  exciting 
ride ;  for  there  were,  of  course,  no  stoppages.  As  we  passed 
station  after  station,  dashed  over  bridge  after  bridge,  or  went 
whizzing  through  tunnel  after  tunnel,  I  enjoyed  the  speed 
amazingly,  and  began  believing  tliat  luck  was  again  on  my 
side. 

The  wrecked  bridge  below  Martinsburg  was  reached  just  as 
the  sun  was  dropping  behind  the  mountains ;  and  I  gleefully 
leaped  from  the  cab,  bidding  my  friend  the  engineer  a  hearty 
good-by  as  I  did  so. 

Soon  after  passing  Harper's  Ferry,  we  had  heard  frequent 
cannonading;  a  fact  which  made  it  evident  to  my  mind  that 
fighting  was  going  on  somewhere  in  the  Valley  above.  As  mile 
after  mile  was  gained  above  the  Ferry,  these  guns  sounded 
louder  and  louder,  their  reverberations  being  at  times  so  dis- 
tinct, that  the  engineer  more  than  once  laid  his  hand  on  the 
lever  and  looked  inquiringly  into  my  face.  I  re-assured  him  by 
saying  that  the  cannonading  seemed  near,  because  the  guns 
were  being  fired  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains;  consequently 
we  were  in  no  danger.  But  I  noticed,  that,  as  soon  as  Mr. 
Engineer  had  fairly  got  rid  of  his  passenger,  he  lost  no  time 
in  retracing  his  iron  path  to  the  Ferry. 

I  was  now  on  foot,  entirely  alone,  with  only  a  navy  revolver 
in  my  belt,  and  a  small  flask  of  brandy  in  one  of  my  blouse- 
pockets.  But  I  was  near  the  battle-ground:  that  was  quite 
certain,  and  it  was  better  than  being  idle  and  helpless  in  Balti- 


404  BULLET  ANIJ   SHELL. 

more.  I  might  accoraplisli  something  where  I  was:  in  the  city 
I  could  do  nothing. 

Walking  quietly  up  the  road  in  that  delicious  light  that 
comes  in  the  Shenandoah  between  the  hours  of  sunset  and 
darkness,  I  soon  reached  the  town.  The  place  was  almost 
empty,  some  half  dozen  intoxicated  cavabymen  being  the  only 
signs  of  Federal  occupation. 

Like  humpbacked  Richard  in  the  play,  I  would  have  given 
at  that  moment  whatever  kingdom  I  possessed,  for  a  hoi:se  : 
the  question  was,  where  to  get  the  animal. 

Meeting  a  trooper  who  had  been  making  too  free  with  apple- 
jack, I  purchased  his  horse  for  fifty  dollars,  and  was  soon  after 
galloping  over  the  turnpike  towards  the  scene  of  hostilities. 

By  the  time  I  had  got  clear  of  the  town,  the  rays  of  sunset 
had  entirely  disappeared,  and  the  cannonading  had  slackened 
considerably  ;  only  an  occasional  gun  uttering  its  sullen  roar 
as  the  shades  of  evening  grew  deeper. 

Forward  I  rode,  until  the  night  darkened  my  path ;  the 
silence  broken  only  by  the  reverberations  of  my  horse's  hoofs 
on  the  macadamized  road ;  through  woods  that  seemed  doubly 
dark  in  the  uncertain  starlight,  past  fields  stripped  of  their 
fences,  and  across  brooks  and  creeks  the  possession  of  which 
had  been  so  often  contested  during  the  summer  :  on  I  rode  until 
my  eyes  were  at  length  gladdened  by  the  sight  of  the  cavalry 
watch-fires  as  they  occupied  the  right  of  Sheridan's  line. 

Riding  into  General  Custer's  headquarters  soon  after  day- 
break, I  leaped  from  my  horse  ;  the  poor  brute  being  utterly 
broken  down  by  the  severity  of  his  journey.  Custer,  the  good- 
hearted  fellow  he  always  is,  furnished  me  with  a  fresh  horse 
from  his  train,  and  over  a  good  breakfast  gave  me  a  clear  and 
graphic  description  of  the  movements  during  the  previous  day. 
It  had  been  a  cavalry  engagement  entirely,  and  had  been 
forced  on  the  enemy  for  the  purpose  of  turning  his  flank  in 
anticipation  of  a  more  decided  and  complete  assault  along  the 
entire  line.     I  had  arrived  just  iu  time ;  for  already  Sheridan 


THE   CORRESPONDENT'S   STORY.  405 

had  his  three  corps  of  mfantry  moving,  and  there  was  every 
prospect  of  a  desperate  battle  being  fought  before  the  day 
was  over. 

During  the  whole  of  that  day,  I  saw  for  myself  the  progress 
of  the  battle  which,  to  use  Sheridan's  own  words,  "  sent  Early 
whirling  through  Winchester."  I  witnessed  the  several  des- 
perate charges  made  during  the  afternoon  by  the  Sixth  and 
Nineteenth  Corps,  and  was  within  a  stone's-throw  of  General 
Russell  when  that  cannon-ball  carried  away  his  head.  I  was 
present  at  the  headlong  dash  made  by  the  cavalry,  under  iMerritt 
and  Custer,  as  they  were  hurled  by  Sheridan  like  an  avalanche 
on  the  enemy's  wuigs  ;  and  I  watched  "Little  Phil  "  himself  as 
he  coolly  directed  the  movements  of  his  troops,  and  won  the 
field  which  gave  him  renown  and  promotion.  In  fact,  I  saw 
all  there  was  to  see,  and  was  satisfied. 

When  the  army  entered  Winchester,  and  pushed  on  in  pur- 
suit, it  was  almost  nightfall.  Finduig  that  Early's  forces  were 
in  rapid  retreat,  I  knew  that  the  next  thing  for  me  to  do  was 
to  get  to  a  telegrapla-wire,  and  so  tell  my  exciting  and  wonder- 
ful story. 

The  scene  at  the  little  stone  bridge  just  outside  the  town  of 
Winchester  was,  at  that  moment,  a  peculiarly  striking  and  in- 
teresting one.  The  moon  was  rising  over  the  mountains,  their 
dark  shadows  lying  in  long  stretches  across  the  valley,  while 
numerous  camp-fires  in  the  fields  revealed  the  trains  belong- 
ing to  the  Federal  army.  The  narrow  streets  of  the  little  city 
were  thronged  by  heavy  columns  of  infantry,  as  they  followed 
our  cavalry  already  far  in  the  advance ;  the  rough  cobble-stone 
pavements  resounding  now  and  then  with  the  low  rumble 
of  artillery,  as  battery  after  battery  went  forward  to  some 
designated  position  beyond  the  town.  It  was  indeed  a  thrill- 
ing scene  of  war,  for  my  ears  were  still  ringing  with  the  roar 
of  cannon  and  the  rattle  of  small-arms.  As  I  sat  there  on  my 
horse,  watching  the  ambulances  moving  in  Avith  the  wounded, 
I   again  heard,  in    fancy,  the  cheers  of   the  infantry  as   they 


406 


BULLET  AND   SUELL. 


rushed  into  the  charge,  saw  the  bright  flash  of  the  sabers  as 
they  kissed  the  sunlight,  the  flutter  of  the  gay  pennons  as  the 
cavalry  made  their  remorseless  descent  upon  Early's  discomfited 
lines. 

Hearing  all  these  sounds  in  imagination,  and  calling  to  mind 
again  the  exciting  episodes  of  the  battle,  my  brain  was  still 
busy  with  plans  how  to  return  safely  to  the  line  of  communi- 
cation with  the  East. 

Suddenly  the   sharp  clatter  of  horses'  feet  reverberated  in 

the  night  air,  and  I  saw 
a  small  detachment  of 
cavalry  coming  over  the 
bridge.  As  it  passed 
me  I  inquired  its  desti- 
nation. 

"  Going  to  the  rear 
with  dispatches,"  was 
the  brief  reply. 

Here  was  my  oppor- 
tunity at  last.  Spur- 
ring forward,  I  soon  ex- 
plained my  wishes  to 
the  lieutenant,  when  he 
GoixQ  TO  THE  REAR  AviTH  DISPATCHES.       cordially  luvlted  mc  to 

accompany  him. 
Hour  after  hour  our  little  body  of  horsemen  cantered  over 
the  dirt-road,  on  our  way  to  Berryville ;  which  village  we 
reached  soon  after  midnight.  Here  we  found  the  supply-trains, 
securely  parked,  waiting  for  the  dawn,  to  take  the  road  up  the 
Valley.  The  straggling  little  town  was  crammed  with  team- 
sters ;  and  as  usual,  they  were  full  of  wild  rumors  and  hidden 
dangers.  They  told  us  of  midnight  assassinations  by  bush- 
whackers, and  desultory  attacks  on  their  flanks  by  Mosby  and 
his  men.  In  fact,  every  man  we  met  was  afraid  of  his  own 
shadow. 


THE  CORRESPONDENT' S   STORY.  407 

To  my  disgust,  the  escort  lieutenant  became  infected  by 
these  fears,  and  decided  to  remain  in  bivouac  until  daylight. 

This,  of  course,  did  not  suit  my  book  at  all ;  for  I  knew,  that, 
unless  I  readied  the  Ferry  in  time  for  the  regular  tram  for 
Baltimore,  all  my  pre%aous  hard  work  would  be  lost,  I  there- 
fore announced  my  intention  of  riding  on  alone.  Tightening 
the  girth  of  my  saddle,  and  carefully  reloading  my  revolver,  I 
set  out  on  my  lonely  and  somewhat  dangerous  ride. 

The  distance  from  Berryville  to  Harper's  Ferry  was  too  long 
and  hazardous  for  me  to  attempt :  so  I  struck  out  to  the  left 
at  the  fork  of  the  roads  below  the  town,  in  the  direction  of 
Martinsburg. 

I  had  been  fortunate,  during  the  afternoon,  in  being  able  to 
exchange  the  animal  given  me  by  General  Custer  for  one  I 
caught  while  it  was  quietly  grazing  on  the  battle-field,  among 
the  corpses  strewn  over  the  plain :  so  I  knew  I  could  make  good 
time. 

The  moon  was  now  shining  bright  and  clear,  so  the  road  lay 
distinctly  defined  before  me.  But  I  was  naturally  nervous 
through  want  of  sleep,  and  I  knew  any  clump  of  bushes  by  the 
roadside  might  conceal  a  bushwhacker.  So  on  I  cantered 
until  daylight  came,  Avhen  my  horse  broke  into  a  gallop,  and  I 
soon  reached  IVIartinsburg. 

Walking  down  to  the  trestle  bridge,  I  found  the  railroad-con- 
struction party  busily  at  work.  Being  provided  with  an  order 
from  Mr.  Smith,  I  presented  the  document  to  the  chief  of  the 
party,  and  requested  him  to  send  me  down  the  road  to  the 
Ferry.  As  the  order  was  an  imperative  one,  my  demand  was 
obeyed,  and  I  was  soon  enjoying  another  rapid  ride  on  a  loco- 
motive. 

I  caught  the  Baltimore  train  in  good  time ;  and,  as  I  stepped 
on  board,  no  one  dreamed  that  I  had  come  so  rapidly  from  the 
battle  all  knew  had  been  fought  somewhere  up  the  Valley. 
Sitting  in  the  train,  I  collected  my  thoughts,  and  arranged  the 
few  notes  I  had  taken.     I  had  now  been  without  sleep  ever 


408  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

since  Sunday  morning,  had  passed  two  nights  and  one  entire 
day  on  horseback,  and  here  on  Tuesday  afternoon  was  on  my 
way  to  Washington  with  full  details  of  an  important  and 
glorious  victory. 

I  reached  Washington  that  evening,  and  for  over  three  hours 
lay  on  a  couch,  dictating  my  description  of  the  engagement. 
I  was  so  exhausted  by  fatigue,  it  was  impossible  for  me  to 
write :  so  we  employed  stenographers.  Page  after  page  these 
nimble  writers  took  down  my  words,  and  page  after  page  my 
story  was  sent  over  the  wires  to  our  newspaper,  and  read  by 
thousands  over  their  breakfast-table  the  following  morning. 

IMidnight  came  as  the  task  was  ended ;  and  I  was  preparing 
for  a  good  long  sleep,  when,  to  my  surprise,  a  fresh  demand  was 
made  upon  me.  The  fact  of  my  arrival  so  soon  after  the  bat- 
tle had  been  noised  about,  for  in  Washington  such  news  flies 
fast;  and  a  polite  message  had  come  from  the  President,  request- 
ing me  to  visit  him  before  returning.  Such  a  request  could 
not  be  ignored :  so  I  jumped  into  a  carriage,  and  was  driveji  to 
the  White  House.  On  my  arrival,  I  found  Mr.  Lincoln,  with 
Secretaries  Seward  and  Stanton,  waiting  for  me. 

"  We  are  very  sorry,  sir,  to  put  you  to  so  much  trouble," 
said  j\Ir.  Lincoln ;  "  but  the  fact  is,  Mr.  Correspondent,  we  are 
anxious  to  learn  the  details  of  General  Sheridan's  victory. 
We  can  not  wait  for  your  printed  story.  You  know  so  much, 
and  we  so  little,  I  thought  you  might  be  willing  to  tell  us  your 
news  in  person." 

"  I  shall  be  only  too  happy,  sir,  to  tell  you  what  I  have  seen 
in  the  Valley,"  I  replied.  "  But  I  supposed  General  Sheridan's 
dispatches  had  arrived  long  before  this :  he  had  the  wire  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  a  privilege  I  was  denied." 

"  Yes :  we  received  Sheridan's  report  some  hours  ago,"  said 
Mr.  Stanton ;  "  but,  though  eminently  satisfactory  in  stating 
the  general  results,  his  dispatch  is  so  brief  and  curt,  it  gives 
us  no  adequate  idea  of  the  scope  of  the  fight." 

"  Well,   gentlemen,"   said   I,  "•  I  will  do  my  best.     Please 


THE  CORRESPONDENT'S   STORY.  409 

order  me  a  few  sheets  of  paper,  and  some  colored  pencils,  for 
rongh  maps  of  the  different  movements." 

For  two  long  honrs  I  sat  at  a  table,  all  alone  with  the  three 
principal  officers  of  the  government,  telling  a  simple  story  of  a 
battle,  fought  only  a  few  hours  before,  two  hundred  miles  away. 
As  I  drew  my  maps,  and  related  how  the  engagement  had  been 
pushed  here,  and  given  up  there  ;  how  the  heavy  mass  of  infant- 
ry in  the  center  had  moved  steadily  forward  in  the  face  of  a 
galling  fire  ;  how  the  cavalry  had  finally  given  the  cotip  de  grace 
by  swift,  resistless  charges  on  the  enemy's  flanks ;  how  Russell 
had  died,  and  Sheridan  acted,  —  I  felt  all  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
fight  again  come  over  me ;  and  my  three  auditors  participated 
in  my  excitement. 

The  contrast  presented  by  these  three  distinguished  men,  as 
I  talked,  was  a  striking  one.  Lincoln's  homely  but  expressive 
features  seemed  to  lighten  up  as  he  listened  to  my  description 
of  some  exciting  scene.  He  appeared  to  see  the  awful  vortex 
of  death  and  flame,  as  the  Nineteenth  Corps  moved  into  it  to 
relieve  the  pressure  on  the  Sixth.  His  lips  parted,  and  he 
straightened  his  tall  form,  when  I  spoke  of  the  rapidity  of  the 
artillery  fire,  and  the  flash  of  the  bright  sabers  of  the  cavalry 
drawn  in  the  sunshine.  He  was,  for  the  moment,  on  the  ground 
itself;  and  his  mind  ran  ahead  of  ni}'-  words,  and  saw  with  his 
own  eyes  the  entire  scene  of  operations.  Seward  was  fully  as 
much  interested  and  carried  away  as  his  chief,  though  he 
manfested  it  in  a  totally  different  way.  His  shaggy  eyebrows 
fell  lower  as  he  leaned  forward  gazing  at  my  diagrams,  and  he 
gave  an  audible  sigh  of  relief  or  satisfaction  when  I  came  to  a 
turning-point  in  the  tide  of  battle.  Stanton  stood  up  almost 
behind  me ;  and  he  would  ask  a  brief  question  now  and  then, 
which  showed  how  well  he  grasped  the  situation.  His  voice 
was,  however,  calm  and  collected ;  and  his  soft  eyes  glistened 
through  his  spectacles  as  he  stroked  his  luxuriant  black 
beard. 

I  lost  my  sense  of  weariness ;  and  we  all  forgot  the  lapse  of 


410  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

time  until  I  had  fairly  finished,  and  rose  to  leave.  All  three 
of  the  gentlemen  thanked  me  warmly  for  my  courtesy. 

"  Can  we  do  any  thing  for  you  in  return  ?  "  asked  the  Presi- 
dent. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  I,  "  you  can.  I  am  under  orders  to  join  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  made  application  for  a  pass  five 
days  ago.  I  am  the  more  anxious  now  to  get  there ;  for.  Early 
having  been  doubled  up  in  the  valle}-.  Grant  will  no  doubt  be 
stirring  at  Lee  to  prevent  his  sending  reinforcements  to  the 
Shenandoah.  I  would  like  to  have  my  pass  in  time  for  to- 
day's steamer." 

"  I  see  you  have  studied  the  art  of  war  to  some  purpose," 
remarked  Mr.  Lincoln  with  a  genial  laugh.  "  Mr.  Stanton  will 
see  that  you  have  your  pass  at  once." 

I  then  went  to  bed,  being  roused  at  noon  to  find  my  pass 
ready  to  my  hand.  That  afternoon  I  embarked  for  City  Point, 
and  reached  the  siege-works  the  next  day,  in  time  to  see  War- 
ren extend  his  lines  beyond  the  Weldon  Road,  when  you  fellows 
carried  the  earthworks  so  gallantly,  and  began  the  movements 
since  kept  up  on  Lee's  right.  So  you  see,  gentlemen,  that  was 
how  I  came  to  be  present  at  two  battles  in  two  different  armies 
within  a  single  week.  But  I  shall  never  forget  the  fatigue 
attendincj  the  effort. 


DEATH  OF  A   SFY. 


411 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 


DEATH   OF  A   SPY. 


"  There's  not  so  much  danger 
In  a  known  foe,  as  in  a  suspected  friend." 

HAT'S  an  excellent  story  of  yours,  Charley," 
said  Major  Curtis  as  Osborne  finished  his  nar- 
rative. "No  wonder  you  enjoy  the  life  of  a 
newspaper  correspondent.  Why,  it  beats 
staff-duty  all  hollow." 

"  There's  more  excitement  about  it,"  replied 
Osborne,  "  and  not  iialf  the  danger." 

"  I  don't  know  about  that,"  said  young  Jen- 
kins :  "  there's  plenty  of  danger  in  those  night- 
rides  of  yours.  I'd  think  twice  before  risking 
myself  as  you  did." 

"Then,  I'll  recommend  you   for  dispatch- 
duty,"  said  Osborne  with  a  sly  laugh. 

"  Bnh  !  that  fellow  had  his  escort,  while  you  went  it  alone  as 
one  does  at  cards  when  he's  got  a  good  hand,"  replied  the  aide! 
"  Well,"  said  General  Fletcher,  "  I  think  that  Mr.  Osborne 
had  not  only  a  good  hand,  but  a  better  head,  when  he  rode 
away  fram  Berryvill6.  —  Your  story  has  interested  me  very 
much,  sir,  and  I  shall  esteem  you  correspondents  more  highly 
hereafter.  I  had  no  idea  that  you  ran  such  risks,  or  encoun- 
tered such  perils." 

"  Very  few  people  do,  general,"  said  Osborne :  "  they  read  a 
newspaper,  and  then  toss  it  aside  without  a  thought  of  the 
labor  and  pains  taken  to  furnish  them  with  news." 


412  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"Your  story,  Osborne,"  said  Major  Curtis,  "reminds  me  of 
something  Custer  did,  while  I  was  in  the  Valley,  during  the 
beginning  of  Sheridan's  campaign.  You  all  know  I  came  to 
the  Fifth  Corps  because  of  the  promotion  it  gave  me." 

"  Tell  us  all  about  it,  major,"  said  I :  "these  stories  will  pass 
away  the  time." 

"All  right:  here  goes."  And  the  adjutant-general  proceeded 
as  follows :  — 

We  had  made  a  rapid  advance  from  Halltown  Heights, 
just  outside  of  Harper's  Ferry ;  and,  after  a  running  fight  cover- 
ing several  days,  we  went  quietly  into  camp  in  the  deserted 
meadows  at  the  foot  of  Cedar  Mountain,  where  Sheridan 
afterwards  made  his  famous  ride. 

The  cavalry  had  done  most  of  the  skirmishing  during  our 
advance  ;  the  Confederates  offering  very  little  opposition  beyond 
the  occasional  firing  of  a  field-piece,  or  a  sudden  flurry  among 
the  pickets,  in  order  to  gain  time  and  give  their  trains  a  chance 
to  gain  safer  distance  from  our  main  body. 

General  Custer  at  that  tune  commanded  what  was  known  as 
the  Iron  Brigade,  composed  mostly  of  Michigan  regiments.  He 
had  gone  on  as  far  as  Port  Royal,  up  in  the  mountains  some- 
where, and  enjoyed  a  sharp  brush  with  the  Confederate  cavalry, 
which  happened  to  be  in  tolerably  strong  force  in  that  neigh- 
borhood. On  their  return,  the  brigade  passed  through  a  little 
bit  of  a  village  called  Painted  Post,  not  far  from  Cedar  Creek. 
While  the  command  was  trampling  through  the  dust  that  lay 
hoof-deep  in  the  road,  one  of  Custer's  officers  captured  a  tall, 
fine-looking  man  in  one  of  the  houses ;  and  they  brought  him 
on  to  camp. 

I  had  ridden  over  that  evening  to  see  George,  my  old  chum 
at  West  Point;  and  was  sitting  with  him  and  his  staff,  round 
the  camp-fire,  after  supper,  just  as  we  are  doing  now,  when  I 
noticed  that  Custer  was  abstracted  and  thoughtful. 

"What's  the  matter?"  said  I.     "You  seem  sad." 


DEATH  OF  A    SPY.  413 

"  I  have  good  reason  to  be,  my  dear  fellow.  —  Yet  I  see  no 
otlier  course  open  to  me,"  he  added,  as  if  speaking  to  himself, 
while  he  kicked  a  log  into  the  fire. 

"What  do  you  mean?  Is  it  another  move,  or  army  secret  I 
should  not  know?  "  I  asked. 

"  Oh  !  there's  no  secret  at  all,"  replied  Custer.  "  You  know 
we  captured  a  man  in  the  village,  down  the  road." 

"  Yes.     What  of  him  ?  " 

"  Only  that  my  adjutant-general  has  just  recognized  him 
as  one  of  the  Confederate  guards  who  escorted  him  and  the 
other  Federals  taken  prisoner  at  the  cavalry  engagement  we 
had  last  summer  at  Brandy,  near  Beverly  Ford.  He  has  gone, 
with  two  other  officers  who  were  captured  at  the  same  time,  to 
see  the  prisoner." 

"  You  think  the  fellow  is  a  spy,  I  suppose." 

"  That's  just  it,"  exclaimed  Custer,  rising  to  his  feet.  "  I  feel 
that  he  is  a  spy,  and  a  dangerous  one  too,  judging  from  his 
looks  and  demeanor.  We  are  surrounded  by  spies  in  this 
valley." 

At  that  moment  the  three  officers  came  up  to  make  their 
report. 

"Well,  gentlemen,"  said  the  general,  "have  you  seen  the 
prisoner  ?     What  do  you  think  of  him  ?  " 

"  They  both  recognized  him  at  once,  general,  as  one  of  our 
old  guards,"  replied  the  adjutant-general;  "and  were  given 
no  previous  hint  from  me,  as  you  expressly  desired." 

"Is  this  so?"  queried  Custer  in  an  anxious  tone;  and  as  he 
spoke  he  gazed  intently  into  the  faces  of  the  two  officers. 

"  I  would  know  him  among  fifty,"  said  the  taller  of  the  two, 
a  big,  broad-shouldered,  gentlemanly-looking  man,  whose  rusty 
shoulder-strap  showed  his  rank  to  be  that  of  lieutenant-colonel. 

"  So  would  I,"  remarked  the  other.  "  That  blue  powder-mark 
on  his  chin  recalled  him  to  my  mind  at  the  first  glance." 

"  I  know  he  was  one  of  the  guard,"  added  the  adjutant. 

"  Very  well,  gentlemen,"  said  General  Custer  slowly.     '•  The 


414  BULLET  AND   SUELL. 

evidence  seems  to  be  very  clear.  I  will  not  detain  you  any 
longer." 

The  two  officers  withdrew;  and,  as  they  rode  off  to  tlieir 
respective  commands,  General  Custer  turned  to  liis  adjutant, 
and  ordered  the  prisoner  to  be  brought  before  him. 

The  scene  in  the  Valley  at  that  moment  was  a  very  beautiful 
one.  The  sun  had  just  dropped  behind  the  hill-tops,  and  the 
air  was  cool,  while  a  delicious  breeze  sprang  up  and  came  to  us 
laden  with  the  perfume  of  the  fields  and  woods.  The  scattered 
fires  among  the  camps  were  beginning  to  burn  brighter  as  the 
shades  of  evening  grew  darker,  and  the  warlike  appearance  of 
the  landscape  assumed  a  softer  beauty.  The  tents,  the  fires, 
the  shrill  neighing  of  the  cavalry-horses,  the  hoarse  challenges 
of  the  sentinels,  and  the  occasional  dropping  shots  on  the  dis- 
tant picket-lines,  gave  active  life  to  the  picture.  In  the  fore- 
ground was  being  enacted  a  stranger  scene,  one  involving  life 
and  death. 

The  prisoner  came  to  our  fire  between  two  sentries,  and,  on 
seeing  the  general  seated  on  the  other  side,  drew  himself  up 
stiffly  as  though  resenting  his  arrest. 

"  My  man,  we  think  you  are  a  spy,"  said  General  Custer  in  a 
quiet  voice.  "  What  have  you  to  say  to  the  charge  ?  Can  you 
prove  yourself  not  to  be  one  ?  " 

"  There's  a  woman  here,  from  the  village,"  replied  the  pris- 
oner, ignoring  the  general's  questions :  "  she  will  tell  you  I  am 
her  son.     I  live  in  the  village.     Does  that  make  me  a  spy  ?  " 

"  Where  is  the  woman  '^ "  exclaimed  Custer. 

Here  a  woman  of  elderly  appearance,  and  evidently  in  some 
terror,  came  forward,  and  stood  silently  looking  at  the  general. 

"  Is  this  man  your  son  ?  "  was  liis  first  question. 

"  Yes,  he  is,"  was  her  reply. 

"  How  long  has  he  been  in  the  village  ?  " 

"  Ever  since  last  spring." 

"  You  are  sure,  quite  sure,  he  is  your  son  ?  " 

"Yes." 


DEATH  OF  A    SPY. 


415 


"  Does  he  belong  to  the  Southern  army  ?  " 

"  I  dunno." 

"  Will  you  swear  that  he  is  your  son?" 

"  Yes." 
^  At   this   moment   an   orderly  came    up    on  horseback,  and, 
dismounting,  wliispered  a  few  words  in  the  ear  of  the  adjutant- 
general,  at  tlie  same  time  handing  him  a  bundle. 

The  adjutant  stepped  forward,  and,  quietly  unrolling   the 
bundle,  disclosed  a  Confederate  uniform. 


GENERAL  CUSTER  AND  THE    SPY. 

"  General,"  said  he,  "  this  uniform  was  found  in  this  woman's 
house,  where  we  captured  the  prisoner." 

A  sudden  flush  in  the  man's  face,  a  swift  look  of  anger,  and 
a  glance  exchanged  between  him  and  the  woman,  was  all  the 
answer  either  made  to  the  announcement. 

"That  will  do,"  remarked  General  Custer  gravely:  "remove 
the  woman." 

As  she  turned  to  follow  the  orderly,  the  woman  gazed  for  a 
moment  into  the  face  of  the  prisoner ;  but  it  was  evident  to  all 
that  she  was  not  his  mother,  —  as  indeed  the  man  afterwards 


416  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

admitted,  —  for  she  made  no  effort  to  bid  him  farewell,  or  to 
embrace  him. 

"My  man,  it's  a  clear  case,"  said  Custer,  as  soon  as  the 
woman  was  out  of  hearing:  "you  are  a  soldier  of  the  Confeder- 
ate army,  and  inside  our  lines  in  disguise.  You  are  therefore 
a  spy  according  to  the  rules  of  war.  It  is  my  duty  to  inform 
you  that  you  must  die." 

"  Die  ?  What !  without  a  trial  ?  "  exclaimed  the  prisoner  in  a 
startled  tone. 

"  You  have  been  tried  just  now.  And  I,  as  a  general  in  the 
service  of  the  United-States  Government,  have  condemned  you 
as  a  spy.  I  beg  of  you  to  believe  me  when  I  say  that  there  is 
no  hope  for  you.  You  die  at  eight  to-morrow  morning.  I  will 
send  the  chaplain  to  you,  and  trust  you  will  endeavor  to  pre- 
pare yourself  for  j'our  fate." 

"Are  you  in  earnest?"  demanded  the  prisoner. 

"  Indeed  I  am.  Remove  the  prisoner.  If  he  attempts  to 
escape,  shoot  him,"  and  the  general  turned  to  his  tent. 

The  condemned  man  walked  away  scornfully,  evidently  believ- 
ing that  some  trick  was  being  played  upon  him.  The  chajilain, 
however,  spent  the  night  with  him  in  the  guard-tent,  and 
finally  succeeded  in  convincing  his  charge  that  the  sentence  of 
death  would  really  be  carried  into  effect. 

Sure  enough,  a  gallows-traj^  was  prepared  at  daylight  by 
nailing  a  barn-door  by  its  hinges  to  the  projecting  limb  of  an 
apple-tree,  in  a  hollow  near  brigade  headquarters.  At  the 
appointed  hour,  the  Confederate  was  brought  out,  and  hanged 
in  the  presence  of  the  entire  brigade.  The  prisoner  met  his 
fate  bravely,  with  scarcely  a  Avord;  and,  in  a  few  minutes  after, 
his  body  was  buried  in  a  grave  at  the  foot  of  a  tree. 

After  the  execution.  General  Custer  invited  me  to  ride  over 
with  him  to  General  Sheridan's  headquarters.  We  met  the 
general  as  he  was  about  sallying  forth  on  a  tour  of  inspection 
along  the  lines. 

"Ah,  Custer!  good-morning.  Any  thing  new  over  your 
way  ?  "  was  his  salutation. 


DEATH  OF  A    SPY.  417 

"  Yes,  general.  I  came  to  report  that  we  caught  a  spy  at 
Painted  Post  yesterday,  tried  him  last  evening,  and  hanged 
him  this  morning." 

"The  devil  you  did! "'  exclaimed  General  Sheridan.  "That's 
excellent.  That's  the  way  to  do  it.  If  a  little  more  of  that 
sort  of  thing  was  done  in  this  Valley,  we  should  have  fewer 
spies  among  us." 

"I  am  glad  you  approve  of  my  action,"  said  Custer,  "for"  — 

"  There,  there,  never  mind  the  spy,  Custer.  He's  safe  enough 
now.  Are  your  horses  fit  for  another  reconnoissance  ?  That's 
far  more  important,"  said  General  Sheridan  in  his  quick,  im- 
pulsive manner. 

"Ready  at  any  moment,  general,"  replied  Custer,  his  eye 
kindling  at  the  prospect  of  another  dash. 

"  All  right.  I  may  want  you  to  cut  around  the  mountain 
here.  If  so,  I'll  send  you  your  orders  this  evening.  Good- 
day." 

And  that  was  all  there  was  about  tlie  spy. 

"That  was  just  like  Sheridan,"  remarked  Osborne  as  the 
major  concluded.  "  He  knew  the  danger  of  spies.  The  Valley 
was  full  of  them  at  that  time.  I  remember  the  execution  very 
well,  but  knew  none  of  the  particulars.  The  hanging  of  that 
man  probably  did  more  to  drive  spies  away  than  any  thing  else. 
Sheridan  and  Custer  were  quite  right." 

"I  agree  with  you,"  said  General  Fletcher.  "A  single 
human  life  counts  for  nothing  in  this  mighty  game  of  war. 
AVhen  a  man  becomes  a  spy  he  takes  his  life  in  his  hand." 

"Well,  gentlemen,"  said  Osborne,  "I  think  we  had  better 
get  some  sleep.  You  know  reveille  waits  for  no  man,  be  he  a 
general  or  a  simple  correspondent." 

"  That's  a  very  sensible  suggestion,"  remarked  the  general, 
curling  himself  up  in  his  blanket.     "  Good-night,  sir." 

The  example  was  soon  followed  by  the  rest  of  the  party,  and 
m  a  few  moments  we  were  all  wrapped  in  slumber. 


418 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 


A   LAST   EFFORT. 


"Ah!  tlie  smoke  lias  rolled  away; 
And  I  see  the  Northern  rifles  gleaming  down  the  ranks  of  gray." 

:^  c  HE   winter   of  1864-65   had  passed,  and   the 

fields  were  beginning  to  wear  that  first  faint 
tinge  of  green  which  is  the  sure  harbinger  of 
spring.  Sherman  had  accomplished  his  won- 
derful march  to  the  sea.  Wilmington  had 
fallen  by  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher,  and  the 
lines  before  Petersburg  and  Richmond  were 
being  drawn  tighter  and  tighter.  Lee  was 
evidently  restive,  for  one  or  two  unimportant 
engagements  had  been  forced  by  him.  In 
the  Shenandoah  Valley,  Sheridan  was  gather- 
ing up  his  reins  for  a  bold  raid  which  was  to 
bring  him  into  Grant's  lines.  The  Sixth  Corps  had  returned 
to  our  siege-works.  Every  thing  pointed  to  some  decisive 
movement  on  the  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  so  long 
tied  down  to  parallel  and  trench.  The  busy  note  of  prepara- 
tion was  everywhere  visible.  Reinforcements  and  supplies  were 
arriving;  and  the  army  waited  with  impatience  for  the  crisis 
which  all  believed  would  end  the  war,  and  release  a  million  of 
men  for  the  pursuits  of  peace. 

I  had  ridden  along  our  picket-lines,  as  field-officer,  one 
night  in  March,  reaching  my  hut  long  after  midnight,  tired 
and  sleepy.  The  fire  on  the  rude  hearth  was  smoldering,  and 
Dennis  peacefully  snored  in  his  bunk.    Kicking  the  few  remain- 


A   LAST  EFFORT.  419 

ing  embers  together,  and  throwing  on  a  stick  or  two,  I  mused 
over  the  events  of  the  past  few  years,  —  the  changes  that 
had  occurred,  the  scenes  I  had  witnessed.  How  long  I  sat 
there  in  the  genial  warmth  of  the  blazing  logs,  I  know  not; 
for  I  fell  asleep  in  my  chair.  Suddenly  I  was  awakened  by 
a  tremendous  and  continuous  roll  of  musketry,  closely  followed 
by  some  sharp  cannonading. 

"  Begorra !  there's  something  up,"  cried  Dennis,  as  he  sat  up 
among  his  blankets,  and  rubbed  his  eyes.  "  Major,  did  ye  hear 
that  fir  in'  ?  " 

"  Hear  it  ?     Of  course  I  heard  it.     There  it  goes  again  !  " 

"  I  wonder  where  the  divil  it  is,  anyway." 

"Some  distance  away,"  I  replied,  "judging  by  the  sound." 

"  They're  hard  at  it,  wherever  it  is,"  said  Dennis,  leaping  to 
his  feet,  and  beginning  to  dress.  "It's  all  rifle-firin'  now. 
Maybe  we're  attacked." 

"  Very  likely,"  said  I ;  "  for,  if  we  were  attacking,  our  corps 
would  be  under  arms." 

"  Major  Wilmot,  are  you  awake  ?  "  asked  Colonel  Harding, 
putting  his  head,  at  that  moment,  through  the  door. 

"  Yes,  colonel.     I  have  not  been  to  bed  yet." 

"That  was  an  awful  volley  just  now,"  said  the  colonel. 
"  By  heavens,  they're  at  it  again !  I  wonder  whereabouts  it 
is." 

"  That's  just  what  I  was  axing  myself  just  now,"  remarked 
Lieutenant  Malone,  as  he  pulled  on  his  second  boot.  "  Have 
ye  any  ordhers,  colonel  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Malone :  as  you  are  dressed,  just  run  along  the  lines 
of  the  officers'  huts,  and  rout  them  out.  We  must  get  under 
arms,  else  brigade-orders  may  find  us  napping.  Wilmot,  will 
you  order  the  drummers  to  sound  the  long  roll  ?  Good  God ! 
listen  to  that  musketry.  Ah!  the  artillery  are  beginning  to 
wake  up.     It  was  high  time." 

Leaving  the  colonel  to  finish  his  speech  to  himself,  I  ran  to 
the  drummers'  quarters,  finding  the  bo^-s  all  outside  their  huts 


420  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

listening  to  the  heavy  firing.  Several  had  their  drums  with 
them  :  so  we  soon  had  the  rataplan  going,  thus  adding  to  the 
racket,  the  other  regiments  following  suit. 

It  was  not  yet  daylight ;  but  during  the  half-hour  that 
elapsed  between  the  beginning  of  the  fusillade,  and  our  getting 
under  arms,  the  row  along  the  lines  on  the  right  and  center 
had  grown  rapidly  in  volume  and  intensity,  coming  nearer  and 
nearer  as  the  batteries  and  forts  along  the  front  were  involved 
in  the  action.  No  orders  came  for  us  bej'ond  the  word  that  our 
brigade  would  form  at  the  sound  of  our  general's  bugle  :  so  the 
regiment  stood  in  line,  listening  to  the  engagement,  wondering 
what  it  could  all  mean. 

"  Major  Wilmot,"  said  young  Jenkins,  riding  up,  ■•'  General 
Fletcher  Avishes  you  to  go  down  and  see  if  you  can  ascertain 
what  is  going  on  over  there.  —  He  thinks  you  can  spare  him, 
colonel." 

"  Certainly,  Jenkins,  if  the  general  desires  it,"  was  Colonel 
Harding's  response. 

"  All  right.     I'm  off,"  said  I,  pleased  at  having  something  to  do. 

In  a  few  minutes  I  reached  the  main  road,  leading  to  the 
center  of  our  position,  and  galloped  on,  glad  to  notice  signs  of 
the  coming  day.  Although  I  had  had  very  little  sleep,  my 
senses  were  all  alert,  and  I  enjoyed  the  ra,pid  pace  of  my  horse 
as  he  plunged  forward  under  the  spur.  In  half  an  hour  I 
reached  the  Jerusalem  road,  and  found  large  masses  of  infantry 
hurrying  towards  the  scene  of  the  battle  now  evidently  pro- 
gressing somewhere  inside  our  line. 

"  What  has  happened  ? "  said  I  to  a  mounted  ofi&cer  as  he 
passed  me  at  a  hard  gallop. 

"  Lee  has  broken  throiigh  our  lines,  and  captured  Fort  Stead- 
man,"  was  the  reply. 

This  was  a  surprising  bit  of  news,  and  fully  explained  the 
intensity  and  fierceness  of  the  musketry.  The  Confederates 
must  have  attacked  suddenly  and  in  heavy  force,  else  so  strong 
a  fort  could  not  have  been  taken  so  quickly. 


A   LAST  EFFORT. 


421 


Daylight  had  now  come ;  and,  as  I  rode  past  the  camps  of 
Hartranft's  Pennsylvania  troops,  I  saw  they  were  empty,  so  the 
division  must  be  already  on  the  field.  In  a  few  moments  more 
I  was  myself  on  the  ground. 

The  reddening  of  the  eastern  sky  clearly  revealed  the  situa- 
tion. A  heavy  column  of  the  enemy  was  pouring  through  the 
wide  gates  of  Fort  Steadman,  and  hastily  pushing  forward  to 
support  the  advance.     At  a  glance  I  saw  that  the  aim  of  this 


m^lr^^JJ^  :; 


THE  CONFEDEKATES   CAPTUKE   FOKT  STEADJIAN. 

desperate  movement  was  to  cut  off  the  main  body  of  our  army 
from  its  base  at  City  Point. 

Finding  my  horse  completely  blown  by  his  long  gallop,  I 
drew  rein  on  a  knoll,  and  watched  the  Confederates  as  they 
steadily  formed  in  the  hollow.  By  this  time  a  second  column 
had  found  ingress  to  the  left  of  the  fort,  and  came  up  rapidly ; 
the  two  columns  forming  a  gigantic  wedge  as  the  heads  met. 
At  that  moment  General  Hartranft  rode  up  with  a  couple  of 
aides.     Seeing  me  apparently  idle,  he  shouted,  — 


422  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Major  !  do  you  know  where  that  battery  has  gone  to  ?  " 

"Just  behmd  that  knoll  yonder,  general,"  I  replied,  point- 
ing to  a  rolling  bit  of  ground  on  my  right  where  I  had  seen 
the  guns  a  moment  before. 

"  Please  ride  over  and  bring  them  into  action  at  once,"  said 
the  general,  turning  his  horse,  and  riding  to  meet  his  troops 
now  forming  in  line. 

I  dashed  off,  and  found  the  battery  standing  in  the  hollow 
behind  the  hill. 

"  What  are  you  doing  here  ?  "  I  cried,  "  Get  3^our  guns  up, 
and  open  on  that  column." 

"  Our  captain  has  just  been  killed  by  a  shell,"  replied  the 
lieutenant :  "  I  was  only  waiting  for  orders." 

"  Hurry  up,  then :  you  have  no  time  to  lose,"  said  I. 

"  By  sections  to  the  left,  wheel !  "  shouted  the  young  officer; 
and  the  guns  came  tearing  up  the  slope. 

"  Now  then,  sir,  give  it  to  them,"  I  shouted  :  "  for  God's  sake, 
open  fire  quickly  !  " 

"•  We'll  give  them  a  few  rounds  of  solid  shot,  and  then  the 
grape,"  replied  the  lieutenant  coolly. 

The  pieces  were  soon  barking  angrily ;  and  the  heads  of  the 
united  column  began  to  feel  the  effect,  for  men  were  falling 
at  every  discharge  as  the  balls  played  through  their  huddled 
ranks. 

"Now,  sergeants,  give  them  shells,  four-second  fuse,"  cried 
the  artillery-officer,  quietly  leaning  over  his  horse's  neck  and 
patting  the  animal  as  he  spoke. 

I  turned  to  see  what  Hartranft  was  doing,  being  just  in  time 
to  see  his  division  go  yelling  down  the  opposite  hill  as  it 
charged  on  the  enemy. 

"  Look  out,  sir !  "  said  I  to  the  battery-commander :  "  you 
will  soon  be  firing  on  our  own  men." 

"  All  right,  major :  I'll  give  them  a  round  of  grape  first,  then 
we'll  shell  their  center." 

The  grape  and  canister  went  whistling  through  the  air ;  and, 


A   LAST  EFFORT.  423 

as  the  two  bodies  of  infantry  met,  the  guns  of  the  battery  were 
slung  a  little  to  the  right,  and  a  shower  of  iron  hurled  into  the 
center  of  the  advancing  column  of  Confederates.  Two  other 
field-batteries  had  by  this  time  come  up  on  our  right,  and 
opened  a  furious  fire ;  while  there  were  more  at  work  on  the 
other  side  of  Hartranft's  column.  This  artillery  cross-fire  now 
grew  too  hot  for  our  assailants :  they  wavered  for  a  second  un- 
der the  combined  attack,  and  then  began  a  retreat. 

In  twenty  minutes  more  the  battle  was  practically  over,  and 
in  less  than  an  hour  the  fort  was  again  in  our  hands.  The 
victory  had  cost  us  dear,  however ;  for  the  field  was  thickly 
covered  with  Federal  dead  and  wounded,  and  the  entire  gar- 
rison of  Fort  Steadman  had  been  captured.  A  few  hundred 
Confederate  prisoners  had,  however,  been  taken ;  and  their  loss 
in  killed  and  wounded  had  also  been  heavy. 

There  being  nothing  more  to  do  or  see,  I  decided  to  return 
to  my  command :  so  rode  slowly  off  the  field,  passing  General 
Hartranft  and  his  staff  as  I  did  so. 

"  Your  name,  sir  ? "  said  the  general,  as  he  returned  my 
salute. 

"  Major  Wilmot,  of  the  — th  New  York,"  I  replied. 

"  Why,  you  belong  to  the  Fifth  Corps.  How  came  you  to  be 
here,  major?  " 

"  I  galloped  over,  under  orders,  sir,  to  see  what  was  going  on." 

"You  made  good  time,"  said  the  general  pleasantly,  "and 
did  us  good  service  with  that  confounded  battery.  I  shall  not 
forget  you  in  my  report,  depend  upon  it." 

Gratified  at  the  warm  praise  I  had  received,  I  could  only 
mutter  my  thanks  as  I  lifted  my  cap  and  gave  my  tired  steed 
the  spur. 

On  arriving  at  brigade  headquarters  I  found  that  my  news 
had  gone  before  me,  for  the  regiments  had  broken  ranks  ;  though 
my  description  of  the  'engagement  was  eagerly  listened  to  by 
General  Fletcher  and  his  staff  as  we  sat  together  at  breakfast. 

"  Ton  my  soul,  Wilmot,  you  always  have  luck  I  "  exclaimed 


424  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

Jenkins :  "  you  are  the  only  officer  of  our  corps  who  has  been 
engaged  in  the  affair." 

"You  forget  that  Wihiiot  missed  our  summer  campaign," 
remarked  the  brigadier.  "•  He  is  only  trying  to  make  up  for 
lost  time.  But  come,  gentlemen,  we  are  to  be  reviewed  to- 
day by  the  President." 

"A  review  to-day !"  I  exclaimed  in  surprise.  "Surely  Lin- 
coln will  not  think  of  such  a  thing,  after  the  hubbub  we  have 
had." 

"Oh!  what  does  he  know  about  it?"  replied  General 
Fletcher.  "  Besides,  Lee  will  scarcely  make  another  assault 
to-day,  after  his  repulse  of  this  morning." 

The  general  was  correct  in  liis  surmises,  for  during  the  after- 
noon our  corps  stood  in  line  for  review.  A  few  minutes  after 
the  bugles  had  ceased  their  clamor,  hoarse  commands  ran  along 
the  lines,  and  the  tall  ligure  of  the  President  galloped  past. 
Then  came  the  marching  salute  in  column ;  and,  as  I  dropped 
the  point  of  my  sword  in  salute,  I  saw  the  President's  wife, 
surrounded  by  a  group  of  ladies,  enjoying  the  pageantry  of  the 
occasion.  Scarcely  had  our  brigade  passed  the  reviewing 
stand,  when  a  tremendous  crash  of  musketry  broke  out  on  the 
extreme  left  of  our  position.  As  it  grew  in  fury,  we  were  not 
surprised  to  find  ourselves  marching  straight  for  the  scene 
of  the  disturbance.  Dropping  the  punctilious  movement  of 
parade,  the  corps  went  forward  at  a  run ;  the  men  in  the  ranks 
laughing  over  the  sudden  change  in  the  day's  programme. 

The  battle  was  at  an  end,  however,  when  we  arrived ;  for 
after  a  few  stubborn  volleys  the  Confederates  fell  back  in  sul- 
len mood,  thus  yielding  ground  they  had  hitherto  held  so 
tenaciously.  Moving  farther  to  the  left,  after  some  delay,  our 
corps  bivouacked  en  masse  for  the  night. 

"Well,  major,"  said  Osborne  the  correspondent,  suddenly 
riding  up,  "  this  day  eclipses  every  thing  I  have  seen  yet.  Do 
you  know,  I  left  flags  of  truce  flying  over  Fort  Steadman  while 
the    Confederates  were  receiving   their  dead  who  had  fallen 


A   LAST  EFFORT.  426 

inside  our  lines,  only  to  find  your  corps  on  review  in  the  cen- 
ter, and  a  sharp  fight  going  on  here !  Peace,  parade,  and  a 
battle,  at  the  same  moment,  only  a  few  miles  apart,  is  almost 
too  much  even  for  an  enterprising  correspondent." 

"  I  suppose  you  have  been  very  busy  to-day,  Charley,"  said  I. 

"  Busy !  I  should  say  so.  Why,  when  that  awful  crash 
broke  out  this  morning,  I  saddled  my  horse  and  galloped  to 
the  scene,  saw  most  of  the  fight,  and  then  rode  to  City  Point 
in  time  to  send  off  a  hurried  dispatch  by  the  mail-steamer.  I 
have  been  in  the  saddle  since  daylight,  used  up  two  horses,  and 
must  sit  up  the  greater  part  of  the  night  writing  my  descrip- 
tion of  this  wonderful  day's  operations.  Can  you  give  a  fellow 
any  thing  to  eat  ?  " 

"  To  be  shure  we  can,"  replied  Dennis,  "  an'  a  cup  of  whishky 
to  kape  ye  warm,  too." 

Osborne  talked  rapidly  as  he  discussed  the  beefsteak  pro- 
vided by  our  cook,  and  predicted  a  general  movement  by  the 
whole  army  within  the  next  few  days.  But  it  needed  no 
prophet  to  tell  us  that. 

The  tattoo  roll-call  over,  Dennis  and  I  rolled  ourselves  in 
our  blankets,  leaving  Osborne  seated  before  the  fire,  writing. 
With  a  couple  of  blankets  wrapped  round  his  shoulders  to 
keep  off  the  wind,  and  the  lid  of  a  cracker-box  across  his 
knees,  the  correspondent  scratched  away  with  his  pencil  by  the 
flickering  blaze.  As  I  lay  watching  him  at  work,  I  realized 
the  fascination  which  possessed  the  journalist;  for  he  had  evi- 
dently lost  all  sense  of  his  surroundings,  until  compelled  to 
pause  and  stir  the  dying  embers  into  brighter  flame.  As  each 
page  was  written,  it  was  thrust  into  the  leg  of  his  big  riding- 
boot  for  safety.  When  I  awoke  again  at  midnight,  Osborne 
was  still  busy,  having  sacrificed  his  impromptu  table  to  keep 
the  fire  going;  his  crouching  figure  showing  out  against  the 
starlit  sky  like  a  silhouette,  as  he  scribbled  away  in  the  un- 
certain light  of  the  camp-fire. 


426 


BULLET  AND   SHELL. 


CHAPTER   XXXVIII. 


BEGINNING   OF    THE    END. 


"  Steeds  neigh  and  trample  all  around, 
Steel  rings,  spears  glimmer,  trumpets  sound," 

Y  the  end  of  two  days,  no  field-orders  having 

come,  the  men  began  to  build  camps.     It  was 

the  deceitful   calm   before  the   storm.      Lee, 

J.  shut  up  as  he  was  in  one  corner  of  the  board, 

.   had  hoped,  by  his  assault  on  Fort  Steadman, 

to  open  a  path  between  himself  and  Johnston. 

But  the  move  failed ;  and,  having  lost  the  ini- 

tiative,  the  Confederate  leader  was  compelled 

.  to  wait  on  the  humor  of  his  antagonist. 

On  the  third  morning  I  received  orders  to 

report  at  brigade  headquarters,  losing  no  time 

in  doing  so. 

"  Major,"  said  General  Fletcher  on  my  entering  his  tent,  "  I 

know  how  you  delight  in  special  service :  so,  when  I  was  called 

to  furnish  a  field-officer,  I  at  once  thought  of  you." 

"  You  were  very  kind,  general :  nothing  pleases  me  better. 
What  am  I  to  do?" 

"  Nothing  very  hazardous.  There  is  some  delay  about  our 
ammunition  ;  and,  as  we  expect  orders  to  move  at  any  moment. 
General  Warren  is  naturally  anxious  to  hurry  it  up.  I  want 
you  to  go  to  City  Point  and  attend  to  the  matter." 

"I  understand,  general,  so  will  ride  over  to  the  train  at 
once." 

"  Never  mind  the  train,"  said  the  general :  "  you  had  better 


BEGINNING    OF  THE  END.  427 

ride  straight  to  the  Point,  for  there's  no  telling  where  we  may 
be  when  you  return/' 

"  Is  the  movement  so  imminent,  then  ?  "'  I  asked. 

"  Yes :  Humphrey's  corps  will  probably  join  us  here  to-night." 

"  Indeed !  but  won't  that  weaken  the  force  along  our  old 
line?" 

"  To  some  extent,"  replied  General  Fletcher.  "  But  part  of 
the  army  of  the  James  is  already  crossing  the  river  to  reinforce 
us,  and  Sheridan  has  arrived  from  the  Valley.  But  I  must  not 
detain  you,  Wilmot,  for  time  is  precious." 

Taking  the  hint,  I  withdrew,  and  galloped  away  on  my 
errand. 

I  had  not  ridden  far  before  I  realized  how  active  were  the 
preparations  for  the  approaching  campaign.  Long  trains  of 
cars  were  rattling  up  and  down  the  rude  railroad,  carrying  sup- 
plies ;  camps  were  being  struck  as  whole  divisions  marched  to 
some  new  position  ;  horses  were  being  re-shod  in  the  field  ;  bat- 
teries and  caissons  packed  with  fresh  ammunition.  Hundreds 
of  wagons  were  passing  to  and  fro  between  the  stations  and 
their  respective  commands,  and  an  air  of  intense  activity  was 
visible  at  every  turn.  The  army  was  indeed  stripping  for  the 
fight. 

As  I  rode  along  the  fortified  lines  a  strange,  unwonted  silence 
prevailed,  for  cannon  and  mortar  were  mute ;  not  even  a  mus- 
ket in  the  picket-trenches  gave  note  of  its  presence.  The  only 
sounds  were  the  creaking  of  the  wagon-wheels  as  they  slowly 
lumbered  over  the  corduroy  roads,  and  the  discordant  bellow 
of  some  stubborn  mule,  or  the  neighing  of  the  cavalry -horses 
as  they  listened  to  the  musical  strains  of  some  distant  bugle. 
Accustomed  as  I  was  to  the  constant  roar  of  our  batteries  and 
the  rippling  fusillade  of  the  pickets,  this  absence  of  artillery 
thunder  was  all  the  more  startling. 

"  Halloa,  major  !  what  are  you  doing  away  down  here  ?  "  ex- 
claimed the  familiar  voice  of  Correspondent  Osborne  as  I  crossed 
the  Jerusalem  plank-road. 


428  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  I  am  going  to  City  Point,  to  see  after  our  ammunitiou,"  I 
replied. 

"  Oho  !  that's  another  sign  !  "  cried  Osborne. 

"  You  mean,  it  is  a  sign  of  a  move  ? "" 

"  Exactly.  We  shall  probably  start  to-morrow,  as  I  told  Gen- 
eral Meade  just  now,"  he  replied. 

"  General  Meade  !  he  must  have  been  vastly  amused,  Charley, 
at  your  volunteering  information,  seeing  that  he  commands  the 
army."     And  I  began  laughing  at  my  friend's  conceit. 

"  It  was  rather  funny,"  said  Osborne  coolly ;  "  and  I  don't 
wonder  you  laugh.  You  see,  I  met  the  general  all  alone,  near 
the  station ;  when  he,  in  that  whimsical  way  of  his,  asked  me 
for  the  news.  I  at  once  told  him  the  army  would  move  inside 
of  twenty-four  hours,  judging  by  the  signs.  He  wanted  to 
know  what  I  meant  b}'-  signs  :  so  I  alluded  to  the  fact  that  the 
roads  were  being  repaired,  and  the  blacksmiths  were  busy  in 
the  batteries  and  cavalry  camps.  The  general  remarked  that 
horses  tvould  cast  loose  shoes,  and  the  roads  needed  mending; 
but  I  reminded  him  that  army  blacksmiths  were  proverbially 
lazy,  and  that  the  roads  were  seldom  mended  unless  they  Avere 
needed  for  the  passage  of  artillery." 

"  And  what  did  the  general  say  to  that?"  I  asked. 

"  It  staggered  him,  for  the  old  gentleman  rode  off  saying  that 
I  had  sharp  eyes :  as  if  correspondents  didn't  need  to  have  sharp 
eyes,  and  use  them  too !  But  any  fool  can  see  with  half  an  eye 
that  we  are  on  the  eve  of  important  events." 

"  You  are  right,  Osborne,"  said  I :  "it  is  the  beginning  of 
the  end.     What  do  you  judge  the  scope  of  operations  to  be  ?  " 

"  Why,  don't  you  see,  Wilmot,  that  Grant  is  going  to  repeat 
his  old  tactics,  and  swing  round  his  left  like  an  immense  sledge- 
hammer, and  so  double  Lee  up?  He  has  been  at  it  ever  since 
we  crossed  the  Rapidan.  While  the  main  force  is  pegging 
away  at  Lee's  communications,  these  old  forts  will  bombard  the 
city  as  it  has  never  been  bombarded  before.  They  have  been 
carrying  shot  and  shell  to  the  magazines  in  immense  quantities 


BEGINNING   OF  THE  END.  429 

these  three  days.  I  suppose  you  know  Orel  is  coming  over  to 
take  a  hand  in  the  final  scene." 

"  I  heard  somebody  was  coming  across  the  river,"  said  I ;  "  and 
Sheridan  is  here  too,  I  understand." 

"  Pooh  !  "  replied  Osborne  contemptuously  at  my  ignorance. 
"Why,  he's  come  and  gone  off  again, — going  to  strike  Lee's 
rear.     lie  started  this  morning  before  daylight." 

"  Indeed  !  that  looks  like  business,"  I  remarked. 

"Don't  it?"  said  Osborne  eagerly.  "There  will  be  plenty 
of  warm  work  all  along  the  line,  once  the  ball  fairly  opens. 
But  I  must  be  off,  major :  good-by  for  the  present." 

Reaching  Cit}^  Point  at  noon,  I  found  the  entire  place  in  a 
wonderful  bustle.  The  ordnance-wharves  were  crammed  with 
all  the  varied  material  of  war,  — spare  caissons  and  guns  for  the 
field-batteries,  chests  of  small  arms  for  infantry,  sabers  for  the 
cavalry,  axes,  spades,  and  pontoons  for  the  engineers,  boxes  of 
ammunition,  bales  of  blankets,  —  in  fact,  every  thing  that  inge- 
nuity could  devise  for  strengthening  and  equipping  an  army. 
Near  by  were  the  commissariat  stores.  Boxes  of  hard-bread, 
bags  of  grain,  and  bales  of  hay,  were  piled  up  in  every  direc- 
tion. Under  the  hills,  trains  were  being  crammed  with  all  these 
impedime7ita  of  war,  and  a  fleet  of  steamboats  lay  in  the  stream 
with  fresh  cargoes  to  discharge.  The  cries  of  the  stevedores, 
the  puffings  of  locomotives,  and  the  piercing  steam-whistles  on 
land  and  water,  made  a  Babel  of  sounds,  deafening  and  confus- 
ing the  ear  by  their  discordance. 

Carefully  picking  my  way  through  all  this  seeming  confu- 
sion, I  made  known  my  errand  to  the  officer  in  charge  of  the 
wharf. 

"  You  have  had  your  trip  for  nothing,  major,"  was  his  reply. 
"  The  Fifth-Corps  ammunition  was  sent  forward  three  hours  ago." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  it,"  said  I ,  "  though  it  is  rather  provok- 
ing to  ride  twenty  miles  just  to  ascertain  the  fact." 

"  Why  didn't  you  come  by  train  ?  You  could  h.ave  got  here 
in  time  to  go  back  with  your  own  ammunition." 


430  BULLET  AXD   SHELL. 

"Simply  because  I  was  ordered  to  come  on  horseback." 

"  Well,  join  me  at  dinner.  You  must  have  a  good  appetite 
after  jonr  long  ride." 

"  Thank  you.     I  must  confess  I  am  hungry." 

AVhile  discussing  the  meal,  I  learned  that  the  extraordinary 
activity  at  the  Point  was  occasioned  by  orders  to  furnish  Gen- 
eral Ord's  corps  with  supplies  at  the  terminus  of  the  railroad  : 
so  it  was  evident  his  command  was  included  in  the  contem- 
plated movement  on  the  left. 

"IIow  many  men  does  Ord  bring  over?"  I  asked. 

"About  ten  thousand,  judging  by  the  orders  for  supplies. 
But  there  are  other  troops  besides  Ord's  crossing  the  river: 
they  are  for  the  intrenchments." 

"To  relieve  Humphrey,  no  doubt,"  said  I.  "I  know  he  is 
under  orders  to  join  us  in  the  advance  on  the  left." 

"Precisely,"  replied  the  ordnance-officer.  " Parke,  with  the 
Ninth  Corps,  is  to  hold  the  old  line,  Avhile  you  cut  loose  for 
a  flank  movement;  and  he  will  open  a  bombardment  at  the 
proper  moment.  If  all  goes  well,  there  will  be  music  in  the  air 
before  many  hours." 

My  horse  having  been  fed,  I  bade  my  entertainer  good-by, 
and  rode  away.  Reaching  Meade  Station  at  nightfall,  I  stopped 
at  a  sutler's  tent,  hoping  to  obtain  something  to  eat;  a  few  drops 
of  rain  falling  as  I  descended  from  my  saddle. 

"Want  supper?  Certainly:  you  are  just  in  time,"  said  the 
sutler  liospitably,  when  I  explained  my  wishes.  "  But  what  are 
you  doing 'way  down  here?'  he  continued,  noticing  the  Mal- 
tese cross  on  my  cap. 

"  I've  been  down  to  the  Point,  and  must  get  back  to  my  regi- 
ment to-night,"  I  replied. 

"  You'll  have  a  precious  slim  chance  of  doing  so,"  said  the 
sutler.  "  Don't  you  know  the  Fifth  started  out  to  join  Sheridan 
to-day,  before  noon  ?  " 

"  How  could  I,  when  I  left  it  soon  after  reveille  ?  " 

"Well,  there's  no  use  your  trying  to  find  them  in  the  dark. 


BEGINNING   OF  THE  END.  431 

major.  Besides,  don't  you  hear  the  rain  ?  Just  bunk  in  here 
along  with  us,  and  give  that  horse  of  yours  a  rest.  He'll  o-o  all 
the  better  in  the  morning."  ^ 

The  advice  was  not  to  be  disregarded,  so  I  accepted  the 
hospitable  offer  with  thanks.  Passing  into  the  barnlike  tent,  I 
found  several  officers  belonging  to  the  station-guard,  already' at 
supper. 

"Well,  Jerry,"  said  a  tall,  black-haired  lieutenant,  as  he 
courteously  made  room  for  me  at  the  rude  table,  "I  guess  our 
mess  will  soon  break  up  now." 

"I  shouldn't  wonder  if  I  pulled  up  stakes  in  a  day  or  two," 
responded  the  sutler.  "Business  wUl  be  uncommonly  dull  now 
that  the  hull  army  is  moving." 

"  Lord,  how  it  rains  !  "  ejaculated  another  of  the  group,  turn- 
ing an  ear  towards  the  canvas  roof,  and  listening  to  the  patter 
of  the  heavy  drops.  "  It  will  make  the  roads  as  soft  as  putty 
for  the  artillery  and  wagons." 

"  Lieutenant  iALarsh,"  said  a  sergeant,  hurriedly  entering  the 
tent,  "  tliere's  two  more  trains  just  come  up,  chock  full  of 
ammunition ;  and  the  major  wants  you  to  see  it  put  into  the 
wagons." 

"Confound  shot  and  shell,  say  I!"  exclaimed  my  black-haired 
neighbor  in  a  petulant  tone.  "  I  thought  we  were  done  with 
them  for  the  present." 

"  The  wagons  are  all  ready,  sir,  and  waiting,"  remarked  the 
sergeant,  seeing  that  his  superior  made  no  movement. 

"  Oh  !  I'm  coming,"  grumbled  the  lieutenant,  rising  and  fling- 
ing an  overcoat  over  his  shoulders.     "  Go  and  see  that  the  lan- 
terns are  all  ready,  sergeant,  and  turn  out  the  men." 
"  May  I  go  with  you  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Certainly,  major,  if  you  don't  care  for  the  rain.  You  will 
find  it  precious  dull  work  though.  What  they  want  with  all 
this  ammunition  bothers  me.  The  magazines  must  be  over- 
flowing;" and  Lieutenant  Marsh  held  up  the  flap  of  the  tent 
for  me  to  pass. 


432  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

On  reaching  the  railroad-platform,  an  exciting  and  pictur- 
esque sight  ju'esented  itself.  Lighted  lanterns  were  swinging 
at  the  door  of  every  car,  and  men  inside  were  rapidly  passing 
boxes  of  powder  and  shells  to  the  wagons  ranged  alongside. 
Now  and  then  a  solid  shot  would  go  rumbling  over  the  car-floor 
as  it  was  kicked  towards  the  wagon,  and  fall  into  the  vehicle 
with  a  sudden  thump.  The  dim  lights,  the  whistles  of  the 
locomotives,  the  shouts  of  the  drivers,  and  the  swishing  sound 
of  the  falling  rain,  made  the  scene  a  weird  and  novel  one,  even 
to  my  eyes. 

"  There,  that  job's  finished,"  said  the  lieutenant  as  the  last 
wagon  went  groaning  away  in  the  darkness.  "  Come,  major, 
we  must  run,  or  well  be  drenched  before  we  can  reach  Jerry's 
tent," 

I  was  on  the  road  early  the  following  morning,  being  natur- 
ally anxious  to  overtake  the  corps  before  the  impending  engage- 
ment. Cantering  over  the  muddy  road  in  the  cool,  balmy  air, 
and  watching  the  mists  as  they  sluggishly  rose  before  the  rays 
of  the  sun,  I  saw  that  great  changes  had  taken  place  during 
my  brief  absence.  The  reserve  batteries  were  gone ;  and  in  the 
fields  where  I  had  left  thirty  thousand  men  in  bivouac,  nothing 
was  now  to  be  seen  except  extinguished  fires  and  the  usual 
debris  of  deserted  camps.  Both  the  Second  and  Fifth  Corps 
had  disappeared,  their  places  in  the  line  being  taken  by  Ord's 
men.  Every  thing  was  strangely  silent :  the  guns  in  the  forts 
were  still  mute,  and  the  pickets  gave  no  sign  of  life.  Even 
the  railroad  was  deserted ;  for,  now  that  the  army  was  moving 
for  battle,  all  the  trains  were  huddled  together  at  City  Point, 
awaiting  the  issue.  No  army-wagon  jolted  its  complaining 
wheels  over  the  exasperating  corduroy  roads,  and  neither  mule 
nor  steed  gave  vocal  token  of  his.  presence  ;  the  harsh  cry 
of  a  solitary  crow  flying  over  my  head  being  the  only  sound 
to  break  the  ominous  silence. 

Passing  over  the  dismantled  embankment  of  the  Weldon 
Railroad  just  beyond  Warren  Station,  I  found  the  road  deeply 


BEGINNING   OF  THE  END. 


433 


scarred  by  wagon-wheels,  so  rode  slowly  through  the  mud  until 
I  reached  the  woods  :  here  I  discovered  further  traces  of  the 
passage  of  a  column  of  troops,  Plodding  on  for  a  mile  or  two, 
I  unexpectedly  encountered  General  Meade,  attended  only  by  a 
couple  of  orderlies. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  general,"  said  I,  lifting  my  cap,  "  but  is 
this  the  road  the  Fifth  Corps  took  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir,  it  is,"  replied  the  general,  peering  at  me  sharply 
over  his  glasses.     "  How  came  you  to  be  so  far  in  the  rear  ?  " 


"  I  was  sent  to  the  Point,  sir,  and  am  now  trying  to  rejoin 
my  command,"  said  I,  heartily  annoyed  at  being  compelled  to 
explain. 

"Duty  is  duty,"  remarked  General  Meade  in  a  ^ileasanter 
tone,  as  if  to  set  me  at  my  ease.  "I'm  glad  we  have  met. 
Major,  for  you  can  be  of  service.  Do  you  know  the  road  we 
cut  Avhen  the  advance  was  made  over  the  Boydton  plank  ?  " 

"  Perfectly,  general :  it  runs  through  the  pines  towards  the 
Taylor  house." 

"  Exactly.     Well,  I  want  you  to   find   General   Humphrey, 


434  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

and  tell  him  to  extend  his  line  until  he  touches  Warren's 
right.     There's  a  dangerous  gap  between  them,  I  find." 

"All  right,  sir:  I'll  carry  your  order,  and  then  ride  along  the 
line  until  I  find  my  brigade." 

"  That  will  be  your  best  plan ;  and  tell  General  Humphrey 
that  my  headquarters  are  at  Warren  Station  for  the  present," 
said  the  general,  returning  my  salute  and  galloping  away. 

I  lost  no  time  in  seeking  the  road,  and,  entering  it,  rode 
gayly  on,  rejoicing  in  my  luck  in  having  something  to  do. 

But  all  these  bright  expectations  were  suddenly  quenched ; 
for  I  had  gone  scarcely  half  a  mile  when  ten  or  fifteen  Confed- 
erate soldiers  broke  through  the  undergrowth,  and  surrounded 
me.     I  was  again  a  prisoner. 


SMASHmG    THE   TRAP. 


435 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 


SMASHING  THE   TRAP. 


the 


"  They  entered:  'twas  a  prison-room 
Of  stern  serenity  and  gloom." 

APTURED  so  suddenly,  I  was  bewildered  for 
the  moment.  My  first  impulse  was  to  make  a 
desperate  effort  to  escape  ;  but  the  muzzles  of 
four  or  five  muskets  in  my  face  showed  the 
futility  of  resistance,  so  I  sullenly  dismounted 
and  unbuckled  my  saber-belt.  Just  then  the 
head  of  an  infantry-column  deployed  into  the 
road  from  a  path  a  few  paces  beyond.  The 
Confederates  had  evidently  discovered  the  gap 
in  our  line,  and  were  endeavoring  to  profit  by 
it. 

"  Halloa !  where  did  you  get  that  horse  ?  " 

officer  ii)   command,  on  catching  sight  of  my 


demanded 
steed. 

"  Hev  jist  gobbled  him  an'  this  'ere  Yank,"  replied  one  of 
the  men.     "  He's  jist  what  yer  need,  kurnel." 

"  Sorry  to  deprive  you,  sir,  of  the  animal,"  said  the  Confed- 
erate colonel  politely.  "But  the  fortune  of  war,  you  know. 
How  came  you  out  here  alone  ?  " 

"Simply  rejoining  my  command,"  I  replied.  "I  had  no  idea 
you  held  possession  of  this  road." 

"We  can  scarcely  claim  to  hold  it,  sir,  being  merely  on  a 
reconnoissance.  But  come,  you  will  be  in  Petersburg  before 
you  expected,"  and  the  colonel  laughed  good-humoredly. 


436  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Well,  I  shall  not  be  a  prisoner  long,"  I  retorted,  nettled  by 
tlie  badinage  of  the  speaker. 

"Perhaps  not,"  he  replied  stiffly.  "But  we  are  not  con- 
quered quite  yet.  —  Take  your  prisoner  to  the  rear,  corporal." 

Returning  the  polite  bow  of  the  colonel,  who  was  comforta- 
bly seated  in  my  saddle,  I  dejectedly  followed  my  guard, 
heartily  disgusted  at  the  untoward  result  of  my  adventure. 

Passing  down  the  path  for  a  few  hundred  yards,  we  struck 
the  Confederate  pickets,  and  soon  after  came  to  their  line  of 
battle.  The  men  eyed  me  curiously  as  the  corporal  and  his 
men  hurried  me  through  the  ranks;  one  or  two  officers  near 
me  courteously  removing  their  hats  in  salute,  —  a  compliment 
I  promptly  acknowledged.  Though  I  was  not  permitted  to 
linger,  I  saw  that  an  important  movement  was  in  progress,  for 
the  force  at  that  part  of  the  field  was  a  large  one.  In  a  few 
minutes,  probably,  the  engagement  would  take  place  ;  and  the 
gap  between  Humphrey  and  Warren  might  prove  fatal.  Had 
I  not  been  captured,  this  danger  might  have  been  avoided. 
But  there  was  no  use  complaining. 

Soon  after  leaving  the  Confederate  main  line,  we  entered  a 
wide  road,  which  Corporal  Packer  informed  me  led  to  the  city. 
Half  a  mile  down  the  road  we  met  heavy  masses  of  infantry, 
evidently  moving  up  to  strengthen  the  force  I  had  seen  in  the 
woods ;  showing  that  Lee  was  endeavoring  to  ward  off  the  blow 
threatened  him.  The  appearance  of  these  men  was  in  striking 
contrast  to  those  of  our  own  army.  Their  uniforms  were  faded 
and  torn,  their  equipments  battered  and  rusty ;  but  the  men 
moved  with  vigorous,  eager  step.  Brave  and  undaunted,  these 
soldiers  in  butternut  and  gray  pressed  forward,  apparently  as 
confidently  and  hopefully  as  when  the  chances  of  war  were  more 
equally  divided.  After  all,  they  were  Americans,  consequently 
full  of  ardor  and  self-reliance. 

It  was  noon  before  we  reached  the  suburbs  of  Petersburg, 
and  on  entering  the  streets  I  was  surprised  to  find  them  almost 
deserted.     Here  and  there  I  caught  glimpses  of  women's  faces 


SMASHING    THE   TRAP.  437 

at  a  window,  and  once  we  met  an  elderly  citizen  who  stopped 
and  gazed  inquisitively  after  me.  On  the  outskirts  we  had 
encountered  a  few  wagon-trains,  but  here  there  was  nothing 
to  betray  the  presence  of  an  army  besieged.  Passing  up  one 
street  and  down  another,  we  came  at  length  to  a  sort  of  open 
square,  evidently  the  business  center  of  the  city  before  the 
heavy  hand  of  military  occupation  had  put  an  end  to  all  peace- 
ful pursuits.  Stoi)ping  in  front  of  a  low  building  which  had 
once  been  occupied  by  a  barber,  I  was  confronted  with  the 
provost-marshal,  who  having  taken  m}^  name,  rank,  and  regi- 
ment, ordered  the  guard  to  lead  me  away. 

Corporal  Packer  now  led  me  towards  the  river,  until  suddenly 
turning  a  corner  we  halted  at  the  door  of  a  big  brick  building 
which  I  knew  must  be  the  prison.  Originally  a  tobacco-ware- 
house, it  had  a  forbidding  appearance ;  and  my  heart  sank  at 
the  prospect  of  a  sojourn  within  its  walls.  In  a  few  minutes 
I  was  in  the  midst  of  a  group  of  Federal  ofBcers,  prisoners  like 
myself. 

"  Halloa !  Here's  a  fresh  fish  in  the  net,"  cried  one  in  a 
merry  voice.  "I  say,  major,  has  there  been  another  bat- 
tle?" 

"  Not  yet,"  I  replied,  "•  but  there  will  be  one  very  soon." 

"  How  came  you  to  be  gobbled,  then  ? "  inquired  another 
officer  of  my  own  rank. 

"  I  ran  across  a  reconnoitering  column  in  the  pines." 

"Pines?  why,  what's  going  on  there?"  exclaimed  two  or 
three  voices. 

"  The  whole  army  is  in  motion,"  said  I.  "  Ord  has  come  over, 
Parke  holds  the  old  line,  and  all  the  i-est  are  swinging  round 
on  the  left  with  Sheridan's  cavalry." 

"Huzza!"  shouted  the  captain  who  had  announced  my 
arrival.  "The  siege  will  soon  be  over,  then  good-by  to  this 
infernal  prison ! " 

"  Stop  that  noise  in  there  !  "  said  the  sentry  angrily,  putting 
his  head  in  at  the  door. 


438  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  How  long  liave  you  fellows  been  here  ?  "  I  asked  when  the 
guard  had  retired. 

"  Only  a  few  days,"  replied  the  major.  "  We  were  captured 
when  Lee  made  that  desperate  dash  of  his  on  Fort  Steadman. 
Do  you  think  this  last  move  of  Grant's  will  be  success- 
ful?" 

''  It  looks  like  it,"  I  replied  :  "  I  can  not  see  how  it  can  prove 
otherwise." 

"  Let  us  hope  so.  It's  a  good  sign,  at  all  events,  their  keep- 
ing us  here.  If  all  were  going  well  with  them,  we  should  have 
been  packed  off  to  Richmond  long  before  this." 

My  fellow-prisoners  continued  questioning  me  and  discussing 
the  situation  until  nightfall,  when,  a  scanty  supper  having  been 
served  out,  we  lay  on  our  blankets  in  the  dark,  speculating  in 
whispers  on  the  chances  of  our  being  soon  released  or  exchanged. 
One  by  one  they  fell  asleep,  until  at  length  I  found  myself  sur- 
rounded by  sleepers ;  so  followed  their  example. 

At  daybreak  we  were  awakened  by  our  guards,  who  seemed 
strangely  excited,  though  they  refused  to  explain  what  was  the 
matter.  While  we  were  wondering  at  their  queer  conduct, 
the  sound  of  distant  cannonading  could  be  heard. 

"They're  fighting,"  whispered  some  one  near  me.  "I  won- 
der if  they  are  going  to  take  us  away." 

What  the  orders  were,  we  never  ascertained,  for  beyond  call- 
ing the  roll  our  guards  left  us  undisturbed  until  breakfast-time  ; 
the  cannonading  growing  in  volume  and  vigor  as  the  day  ad- 
vanced. Clustering  near  the  narrow  windows,  we  listened  to 
the  booming  of  the  guns  in  feverish  impatience.  At  length 
the  sounds  of  the  battle  died  away ;  and  we  learned  from  the 
sentry  that  the  engagement  had  occurred  at  a  place  called  Five 
Forks,  afterwards  to  be  historical  as  the  scene  of  the  last 
pitched  battle  of  the  war. 

The  next  two  days  passed  without  incident,  for  we  heard 
no  cannonading.  At  midnight  of  the  third  day,  however,  we 
were  startled  from  our  slumbers  by  a  tremendous  outburst  of 


SMASHING    THE   TRAP.  439 

artillery,  the  concussions  of  which  fairly  shook  the  floor  under 
our  feet. 

"It's  a  general  bombardment  along  the  lines,  you  may  depend 
upon  it,"  said  Major  Rathbone 

We  could  see  nothing  from  our  windows,  except  the  reflec- 
tion of  the  light  from  the  guns  in  action.  Yet  we  lingered, 
content  to  watch  even  this  imperfect  evidence  of  a  determined 
effort  to  capture  the  beleaguered  city.  As  the  first  faint  streaks 
of  daylight  appeared,  fierce  volleys  of  musketry  could  be  dis- 
tinguished amidst  the  thunder  of  contending  cannon,  sounds 
which  told  us  that  an  assault  was  being  made.  Now  the  noise 
of  the  conflict  grew  louder  and  louder  until  it  seemed  that 
even  the  streets  of  the  city  were  invaded. 

"  I  say,  gentlemen,  do  you  know  it's  Sunday  ? "  remarked 
some  one  at  the  window  next  mine. 

*•'  So  it  is,  Woodbury,"  replied  Major  Rathbone.  "  Halloa ! 
what's  this?"  he  exclaimed  the  next  instant  in  an  eager  voice. 
"  Yes,  it's  an  infantry -column,  and  going  like  the  very  devil." 

A  glance  into  the  street  showed  us  that  the  major  was  right ; 
for  the  narrow  pavement  was  full  of  men,  who  were  moving  as 
fast  as  their  legs  could  carry  them.  What  the  movement  was, 
we  could  not  imagine,  unless  it  was  reinforcements  .going  to 
some  threatened  point. 

All  day  long  we  stood  and  listened  to  the  awful  music  of 
artillery,  intensified  and  strengthened  in  its  monotone  by  fre- 
quent volleys  of  well-sustained  musketry.  It  seemed  to  me 
terrible  to  be  shut  up  like  rats  in  a  trap,  while  our  comrades 
were  so  bravely  fighting.  When  night  came,  some  one  remem- 
bered that  we  had  been  given  no  dinner,  a  fact  we  had  entirely 
forgotten  in  the  fierce  excitement  experienced  while  listening 
to  the  bombardment.  Though  it  was  now  the  hour  for  supper, 
our  guards  neglected  to  bring  that  also.     What  could  it  mean  ? 

"  It's  my  opinion  they're  going  to  evacuate  the  city,"  said 
Major  Rathbone,  "  and  have  something  else  to  think  of  besides 
feeding:  us." 


440  BULLET  AND  SHELL. 

Whatever  the  cause,  we  received  no  food  ;  nor  could  we  get 
any  response  from  the  sentry  at  the  door  of  our  loft,  beyond 
the  pointing  of  his  bayonet  at  any  one  who  questioned  him. 
Hungry,  yet  elated  by  hope,  we  were  unable  to  sleep,  so  chatted 
in  groups  by  the  windows.  A  painful  silence  had  by  this 
time  succeeded  the  cannonading  and  musketry,  but  we  were 
certain  it  would  be  renewed  at  dawn.  About  three  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  a  young  lieutenant  discovered  that  the  sentry  was 
no  longer  at  the  door. 

"  Steady,  gentlemen,"  cried  Major  Rathbone,  as  a  rush  was 
made  for  the  landing.     "  Let  us  go  cautiously  to  work." 

"But  the  guards  have  been  withdrawn,"  exclaimed  Captain 
Woodbury. 

"  All  the  more  reason  for  caution,"  replied  Major  Rathbone. 
"  If  the  guards  are  gone,  there's  no  harm  in  reconnoitering. 
But  let  us  do  it  regularly.  Major  Wilmot,  )^ou  and  Woodbury 
will  please  explore  the  passage-way.  jNIeanwhile,  the  rest  of 
the  gentlemen  must  remain  quiet." 

Captain  Woodbury  and  I  moved  cautiously  to  the  door,  and 
found  it  unfastened.  Pushing  it  open,  we  listened  a  moment 
or  two,  but  there  were  no  sounds. 

"  Have  you  a  match,  major  ?  "  whispered  Woodbury  in  my 
ear. 

Without  replying,  I  opened  my  match-safe,  and  struck  a 
light.     Holding  it  over  my  head,  I  could  see  nobody. 

"  By  Jove  !  they  are  gone  I  "  exclaimed  my  companion,  as  the 
flame  of  the  match  expired  and  left  us  in  darkness. 

"It  seems  like  it,"  I  replied.  "Let  us  go  a  little  farther 
before  we  report." 

Creeping  down  the  stairs,  we  soon  reached  the  lower  landing, 
and,  by  the  aid  of  another  match,  ascertained  that  no  guard  was 
on  duty. 

"  Do  you  go  back,  Woodbury,"  said  I,  "  and  tell  Major  Rath- 
bone we  think  the  coast  is  clear.  I  will  wait  here  until  you 
return." 


SMASHING    THE  TRAP.  441 

The  captain  ascended  the  stairs,  and  left  me  alone  in  the 
darkness.  Excited  as  I  was  by  the  novelty  of  the  situation, 
I  felt  strangely  stirred  at  my  position  ;  and  my  heart  throbbed 
tumultuously,  for  there  was  no  knowing  what  danger  we  might 
encounter. 

In  a  few  minutes  Woodbury  returned,  followed  by  Major 
Rathbone  and  the  rest.  Whispering  for  them  to  move  quietly, 
I  led  the  way  down  the  last  flight  of  stairs.  On  reaching  the 
street-door,  we  again  found  no  sentry  ;  but  the  door  was  locked. 
Here  was  a  dilemma  ! 

"  By  the  b}' ,"  said  Captain  Woodbury,  "  the  day  they  brought 
us  here,  I  noticed  a  door  in  the  side  wall.  Have  you  any  more 
matches,  Wilmot  ? "' 

Striking  a  light,  we  saw  that  tlie  captain's  memory  was  not 
at  fault.     There  was  another  door,  and  it  j^roved  to  be  unfastened. 

"  Hold  on  a  bit ! "  exclaimed  the  lieutenant  who  had  first 
discovered  the  absence  of  the  sentries.  "•  I've  a  piece  of  candle 
in  my  pocket.     Let  us  explore  Avitli  it." 

Pushing  the  door  open,  and  following  our  leader,  we  soon 
came  to  the  end  of  a  passage,  and  in  another  moment  were  in 
the  open  air. 

"  Isn't  this  funny ! "  cried  Woodbury.  "  Where  can  our  guards 
have  gone  to  ?  " 

"  Followed  the  army  evidently,"  replied  i\Iajor  Rathbone. 
"But  come,  let  us  push  on." 

The  major  led  us  across  a  sort  of  court-yard,  but  his  progress 
was  soon  checked  by  a  high  wall :  we  had  simply  gained  access 
to  the  warehouse-yard,  not  the  street. 

"Well,  what  are  we  to  do  now?"  said  Captain  Woodbury 
impatiently. 

"  Why,  return  to  the  passage,  of  course,"  replied  the  major. 
"  Look  around,  and  see  if  any  of  you  can  find  something  —  a 
bit  of  iron — to  break  the  lock  on  the  front  door." 

"  Here's  something  heavy  I've  stumbled  over,"  said  one  of 
the  other  ofiicers. 


442  IWLLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  The  very  thing,"  said  Major  Rathboiie,  examining  tlie 
object  with  his  candle.  '*  It's  one  of  those  bars  formerly  used 
in  the  tobacco-presses.  —  Come,  Woodbury,  you  take  the  lead 
now,  and  batter  off  the  lock  for  us." 

We  all  hurried  after  our  new  standard-bearer,  who,  on  reach- 
ing the  door,  succeeded,  by  a  few  well-directed  blows  with  his 
crowbar,  in  forcing  the  cumbrous  lock  from  its  fastenings.  As 
the  heavy  door  swung  open,  we  poured  eagerly  into  the  street 
like  a  parcel  of  schoolboj's.     We  were  free  I 

It  had  now  grown  quite  light,  yet  the  city  seemed  deserted 
and  silent.  Remembering  the  route  I  had  come,  I  led  the  way 
to  the  open  square,  which  was  also  entirely  empty.  While  we 
stood  there,  wondering  what  was  best  to  be  done.  Major  Rath- 
bone  caught  sight  of  an  advancing  column  of  troops  ajiproach- 
ing.     A  second  glance  showed  them  to  be  Federals. 

"  Wh}',  how  did  you  get  in  ?  "  demanded  the  officer  in  com- 
mand.    "  I  thought  we  were  the  first  to  enter  the  place." 

"  We  didn't  get  in,"  replied  Captain  Woodbury  in  a  whim- 
sical way  :  "  we've  only  just  got  out.'-' 

"  I  don't  understand,"'  said  the  picket-officer,  evidently  mys- 
tified.    "  What  do  3-0U  mean  by  that?" 

"He  means  that  we  were  prisoners,"  replied  the  major,  "and 
have  only  just  discovered  that  we  were  unguarded." 

"  Prisoners,  eh  ?  Well,  I  congratulate  you.  You  had  better 
remain  with  me  until  our  corps  comes  in.  I  expect  General 
Parke  will  soon  be  here." 

"When  did  you  discover  the  enemy  had  evacuated?"  I 
asked. 

"At  daybreak.  A  darky  came  in  and  told  us:  so  I  sent 
word  to  the  rear,  and  marched  in." 

Here  a  few  citizens  made  their  appearance  at  the  corner  of 
the  square.  They  seemed  in  doubt,  and  conversed  among  them- 
selves. The  picket-officer  beckoned  to  them,  a  summons  they 
obe3ed  with  evident  reluctance. 

"  You  have  nothing  to  fear,  gentlemen,"  said  the  lieutenant- 


SMASHING    THE   TEA  P.  443 

colonel.  "  The  city  having  fallen  into  onr  hands,  the  inhabit- 
ants will  be  protected  by  us." 

"  Has  General  Lee  and  his  army  gone  clar  awaj-  ?  "  asked  one 
of  the  men  incredulously. 

"  It  looks  like  it.     Don't  you  see  we  are  in  possession  ?  " 

As  the  colonel  spoke,  we  heard  the  sound  of  horses'  hoofs  on 
the  stone  pavement ;  and,  a  moment  after,  General  Parke  and 
his  staff  rode  up,  closely  followed  by  several  infantry  regiments, 
coming  along  at  a  swinging  trot. 

Major  Rathbone  approached  the  general,  and  explained  our 
presence,  at  the  same  time  introducing  me  as  belonging  to  the 
Fifth  Corps. 

"  Indeed  ! "  replied  the  general.  "  I'm  just  sending  an  escort 
with  my  dispatches  to  General  Meade.  If  you  would  like  to 
join  your  command,  Til  give  you  a  horse." 

"  Thank  you,  general,"  said  I.  "  I  would  like  to  reach  my 
regiment  very  much.     I  may  be  in  time  for  another  brush." 

"Well,  I  can  not  promise  you  that,"  said  the  general,  smiling. 
"I  guess  the  fighting  is  pretty  well  over  by  this  time." 

Learning  that  we  were  all  very  hungry.  General  Parke  gave 
orders  that  we  be  properly  cared  for ;  tlien  rode  aAvay  to  make 
proper  disposition  of  his  troops.  An  hour  after,  I  was  in  the 
saddle,  riding  towards  the  main  body  of  the  army,  which  was 
now  racing  after  Lee  and  his  men.  Before  we  entered  the  belt 
of  woods  where  I  had  been  captured,  deafening  explosions 
occurred  on  the  river ;  and  a  black  cloud  of  smoke  in  the  sky 
told  mc  that  the  citj'  of  Richmond  was  in  flames. 


444 


BULLET  AND  SHELL. 


CHAPTER   XL. 


LAYING   DOWN   THE  SWORD. 


"Peace,  thy  olive  wand  extend, 
And  bid  wild  War  bis  ravage  end." 

HE  position  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia 
had  noAV  become  an  exceedingly  critical  one. 
Compelled  by  Grant's  tremendous  swoop  on 
his  line  of  communications  to  abandon  both 
Hichmond  and  Petersburg,  Lee  gathered  his 
forces  for  a  leap,  which,  if  successful,  would 
enable  him  to  join  Johnston,  and  give  battle 
with  more  equal  numbers.  But  the  brave 
army  proved  unequal  to  the  effort,  yet  strug- 
gled hopelessly  on,  until,  being  brought  to  bay 
at  last,  it  surrendered  with  honor. 
''  When  I  rode  out  from  our  old  lines  with 

the  dispatch-escort,  the  Sixth  Corps  was  on  the  march  endeav- 
oring to  overtake  the  advance  columns,  whose  artillery  gave 
evidence  of  the  severity  and  persistence  of  the  pursuit.  Ord 
was  farther  ahead,  having  had  nearly  a  day's  start  over  Wright. 
All  day  long  we  could  hear  heavy  cannonading,  with  now  and 
then  a  brisk  roll  of  musketry.  Every  road  was  occupied  by 
the  troops  and  trains,  haste  being  evidently  the  order  of  the 
day.  So  crammed  were  the  roads,  that  our  party,  at  times, 
found  it  difficult  to  push  forward ;  and  for  hours  we  struggled 
past  long  lines  of  wagons  and  ambulances,  or  cantered  by  the 
side  of  the  infantr3\  The  men  were,  of  course,  greatly  elated 
by  the   sudden   change    of  affairs   in   the    field,  and   trudged 


LAYING   DOWN   THE   SWOItD. 


445 


merrily  over  the  dusty  roads,  singing  camp-songs,  and  cheering 
on  the  slightest  occasion.  They  seemed  to  appreciate  the  fact 
that  the  end  was  near,  and  forgot  fatigue  in  their  eagerness  to 
witness  the  closing  scenes. 

By  nightfall  we  had  reached  the  vicinity  of  Burke's  Station, 
finding  it  to  be  the  temporary  center  of  our  operations.  As  is 
always  the  case  where  large  bodies  of  troops  are  massed,  the 
scene  was  a  busy  and  confused  one.  Thousands  of  little  fires 
were  scattered  over  the  plain,  and  dark  patches  showed  where 


f^-:i5^,;"-   ' iv^^;#^.>  J.kj- :.:  - .  •■ 


CAVALRY    IN   PURSUIT. 

whole  divisions  were  moving  into  bivouac.  All  the  familiar 
sounds  were  afloat  in  the  air:  hoarse  commands  were  uttered 
by  mounted  officers ;  teamsters  yelled  and  cursed  at  their  ex- 
hausted animals  ;  cattle  bellowed  mournfully,  as  if  they  knew 
they  were  going  to  slaughter;  artillery  rumbled  along  the 
road ;  timber  fell  with  crashing  sound  before  the  blows  of  the 
ax-men ;  and  the  pickets  kept  up  an  incessant  racket  on 
the  outposts.  Now  a  glitter  of  steel  would  flash  across  my  eyes, 
as  the  bayonets  of  some  moving  brigade  glanced  in  the  reflec- 


446  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

tions  of  tlie  l:)lazing  fires ;  and  I  caught  glimpses  of  fluttering 
colors  as  they  waved  like  shadows  in  the  uncertain  light. 

Amid  this  confusion  I  found  it  impossible  to  gain  definite 
intelligence  of  my  corps.  Some  had  seen  it  march  into  yonder 
woods ,  others  knew  that  Warren's  men  were  encamped  just 
beyond  the  station.  DisapjDointed  at  every  turn,  I  was  blindly 
riding  past  the  railroad-platform,  when  a  man  suddenly  rose 
from  the  ground  under  my  horse's  feet. 

"An'  where  the  divil  be  ye  a-goin"?"  he  exclaimed.  "Why 
don't  ye  put  specs  on  yev  horse's  nose  to  kape  him  from  tramp- 
lin'  honest  men  to  death  ?  " 

"Is  that  you,  Dennis?"  said  I,  for  the  voice  sounded  famil- 
iar. 

"Yis,  that's  one  of  me  names,"  he  replied;  "though  how  the 
divil  ye  guessed  it  bothers  me." 

"  Don't  you  know  me,  Malone  ?  or  have  you  lost  your  own 
eyesight  ?  " 

"It's  the  major,  be  all  that's  holy!  An'  where  hev  ye  bin, 
Frank,  all  this  while  ?  Troth,  ye  tuk_  yer  own  time  in  gittin' 
back." 

"  I  was  captured  while  coming  up,  and  only  escaped  when 
Petersburg  and  Richmond  were  abandoned,"  said  I. 

"  Taken  prisoner  an'  escaped  !  "  exclaimed  Dennis.  "  Did  ye 
say  Richmond  is  'vacuated  ?  " 

"  Yes.     But  Where's  the  regiment?  " 

"  I  dunno.  They  detailed  me  here  for  guard-dooty  furninst 
the  station,  and  then  marched  off  in  a  jiffy.  Arrah,  Frank,  me 
darlin' !  but  I'm  glad  to  see  ye  wanst  more,  safe  and  sound, 
like  a  new-made  whishky-barrel  wid  both  heads  in." 

"  Well,  Dennis,  as  I  can  not  find  the  regiment,  I'll  stop  here 
with  you.     Can  you  give  me  any  thing  to  eat? " 

"Troth,  an'  I  can.  There's  a  shank  of  a  ham,  plinty  of 
coffee,  and  a  sup  of  whishky.  Sit  down,  me  boy,  and  make 
yerself  comfortable." 

While  eating  my  supper,  I  gave  Dennis  an  account  of  my 


LAYING   DOWN   THE  SWORD.  447 

adventures  ;  the  recital  greatl}^  interesting  him.  In  return,  lie 
told  me  that  my  brother  officers  had  heard  I  had  been  killed, 
and  predicted  that  my  arrival  would  be  the  source  of  rejoicing 
in  the  regiment.  During  the  battle  of  Plve  Forks  the  com- 
mand had  not  suffered  greatly;  though  one  of  our  officers. 
Captain  Seymour,  had  been  fatally  wounded  by  a  round  shot, 
death  ensuing  soon  after  his  reaching  the  surgeon. 

Dennis  and  I  chatted  for  over  an  hour ;  when,  feeling  the 
need  of  sleep  after  my  long  ride,  I  wrapped  myself  in  a  blan- 
ket, and  did  not  awake  until  the  bugles  and  drums  began  their 
noisy  reveille.  Seeing  the  corps-flag  flying  up  the  road,  I 
mounted  my  horse,  and  was  soon  among  my  comrades,  enjoying 
their  hearty  welcome  very  much. 

During  the  next  five  days  we  made  long  and  rapid  marches, 
diversified  at  times  by  sudden  halts  and  sharp  skirmishes.  We 
knew  that  General  Ord  was  now  following  the  cavalry  in  its 
endeavor  to  cut  off  Lee's  advance  on  the  Lynchburg  Railroad. 
If  Sheridan  was  successful  in  this,  the  Confederates  would  be 
caught  on  both  flanks. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  fifth  day  our  corps  entered  the  vil- 
lage of  Appomattox,  finding  the  Confederates  in  line-of-battle 
on  the  slopes  beyond  the  picturesque  little  town.  Though  we 
also  formed  in  regular  order,  our  general  made  no  aggressive 
movement,  despite  the  fact  that  considerable  cannonading  was 
in  progress  towards  the  left. 

"  An'  why  don't  we  make  a  dive  at  'em,  and  settle  the  busi- 
ness at  wanst?"  exclaimed  Lieutenant  Malone,  as  he  stood 
leaning  against  my  horse's  shoulder. 

"  Do  be  patient,  Dennis,"  I  replied.  "  We  will  get  the  word 
when  the  proper  time  comes." 

As  I  spoke,  a  confused  murmur  ran  along  the  ranks,  and  the 
men  on  our  right  seemed  strangely  agitated. 

"  What's  up  now  ?  "  cried  Dennis. 

"  A  truce  !  a  truce  ! "  shouted  a  hundred  voices. 

Shading  my  eyes  from  the  rays  of  the  sun,  I  saw  two  or 


448 


BULLET  AND   SUELL. 


three  small  white  flags  waving  in  front  of  the  Confederate 
line.  As  I  looked,  a  horseman  galloped  across  the  hollow  from 
one  side,  carrying  a  handkerchief  on  a  ramrod. 

It  was  quite  true :  the  Confederates  had  called  for  a  parley. 

"•  Begorra !  an'  that's  the  purtiest  thing  I've  seen  since  we 
marched  down  Broadway  in  "61,  biddin'  good-by  to  the 
gurls  !  "  exclaimed  Dennis. 


THE   FLAG   OF   TRUCE. 


"  Well,  Wilmot,"  said  Colonel  Harding,  coming  towards  me, 
"this  ends  our  campaigning:  General  Lee  has  signified  his 
acceptance  of  General  Grant's  terms,  and  will  surrender." 

Cheers  now  ran  along  the  lines  like  waves  beating  on  the 
seashore.     The  army  was  intoxicated  with  joy. 

"  This  ends  the  war,"  said  the  colonel  musingly,  as  he  lis- 
tened to  the  cheers. 

"  You  forget  that  Johnston  is  still  in  the  field,"  said  I. 

"  He  will  be  compelled  to  follow  Lee's  example,  now  that 
two  armies  face  him." 

"  True  :  I  had  forgotten  that." 

At  that  moment  Osborne  the  correspondent  rode  up. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  he,  "  I've  come  to  say  good-by." 


LAYING   DOWN   THE   SWORD.  449 

"  Why,  where  are  you  going  ? '"  I  exclaimed,  noticing  that  lie 
had  his  blankets  strapped  to  his  saddle.  "  You  seem  in  regular 
marching  order." 

"I  have  need  to  be,  for  I  must  reach  City  Point  in  time  for 
the  steamer  to-morrow." 

"  City  Point !  "  said  Colonel  Harding  in  surprise.  "  Why, 
man,  it's  fully  ninety  miles  from  here.  You'll  never  do  it  on 
one  horse." 

"Never  you  fear,  colonel,"  replied  Osborne  witli  a  smile  on 
his  lips :  "  I  looked  out  for  that  long  ago.  I've  got  a  horse  at 
Burke  Station,  and  General  Parke  has  another  at  his  head- 
quarters for  me." 

"  You  will  have  to  ride  all  night,"  said  I. 
"  Of  course.     It  isn't  the  first  time,  you  know.     But  I  must 
not  stay  any  longer.     Good-by :  I  shall  probably  not  see  this 
army  again." 

"Why  not?"  said  Colonel  Harding.  "Surely  your  useful- 
ness is  not  over." 

"  Oh !  somebody  will  look  after  you  for  us."  replied  Osborne. 
"  I  am  going  to  Mexico." 
"  Mexico  !  "  I  exclaimed. 

"  Yes,  Mexico.  It  was  all  arranged  when  last  I  was  in  the 
office." 

"  I  see,"  said  Colonel  Harding.  "  This  war  being  in  reality 
at  an  end,  you  are  looking  for  more  exciting  scenes  for  3'our 
note-book  ?  " 

"  Exactly,"  replied  the  correspondent.  "  Now  that  Lee  has 
capitulated,  I  can  easily  be  spared.  While  the  steamer  is 
plowing  her  way  to  Wasliington,  I  shall  write  the  story  of 
this  surrender,  and,  after  seeing  it  put  on  a  wire,  start  for  New 
York.  Within  twenty-four  hours  after  my  arrival  I  shall  be  on 
my  way  to  the  Rio  Grande." 

"  What  will  you  do  there  ?  "  asked  the  colonel. 
"  Make  the  best  way  I  can  to  Juarez'  army,  to  be  sure,  and 
watch  the  course  of  events." 


450  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Upon  my  word,  Osborne,  yours  is  an  exciting  sort  of  life," 
said  I. 

"•  You  are  right.  There  is  nothing  like  it.  Despite  the  dan- 
ger and  hardship  attending  the  life  of  a  war-correspondent, 
there  is  a  fascination  about  it  I  can  not  resist.  But,  really, 
Wilmot,  I  must  be  off.  Time  is  precious  with  such  a  ride  as  I 
have  before  me.     Good-by,  old  fellow.     Good-by,  colonel." 

He  waved  his  hand,  i:)ut  spurs  to  his  steed ;  and  then  the 
brave,  good-hearted  fellow  was  gone. 

When  evening  came,  the  entire  country  seemed  to  be  in  a 
blaze,  for  our  army  was  enjoying  its  old-time  luxury  of  huge 
fires.  On  the  other  side  of  the  little  valley,  where  the  Confed- 
erate army  lay  shattered  and  despairing,  but  little  light  was  to 
be  seen.  As  I  lay  before  the  blazing  logs,  in  company  with 
Colonel  Harding  and  Dennis,  my  thoughts  again  reverted  to 
Tom  Marshall ;  and  I  wondered  if  he  were  still  alive. 

The  fact  that  the  enemy  had  given  up  the  struggle  natur- 
ally relaxed  the  severity  of  campaign-duty.  The  picket-line  was 
a  mere  formality,  and  the  night  air  was  not  disturbed  by  mus- 
ketry ;  the  unwonted  silence  being  all  the  more  remarkable  for 
its  novelty.  Neither  the  colonel  nor  Dennis  spoke ;  and  we 
were  silently  gazing  into  the  fire  when  young  Jenkins  rode 
into  the  circle  of  light,  and  dismounted. 

"Well,  colonel,"  said  he,  "the  campaign  is  over.  Lee  has 
surrendered  unconditionally." 

"  Are  those  the  terms  ?  "  asked  Colonel  Harding. 

"  Not  exactly.  General  Fletcher  says  that  when  Grant  and 
Lee  met,  terms  were  not  discussed.  But  it  is  understood  that 
the  rebels  are  to  lay  down  their  arms,  and  accept  a  parole.  In 
a  few  days  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  will  be  dispersed 
for  ever." 

"  It  will  live  in  history,"  said  I. 

"  Indeed  it  will,"  said  Colonel  Harding.  "  No  army  deserves 
it  more." 

"  Begorra !  it's  quare  to  think  we  are  to  hev  no  more  scrim- 


LAYING  DOWN   THE  SWORD.  451 

mages,"  exclaimed  Dennis.  "  What  will  we  all  do,  now  that 
foightin'  is  over?" 

"Do?  Why,  go  back  to  citizen-life,  to  be  sure,"  said  the 
colonel. 

"  Aisy  to  say  that,  colonel  dear.  But  it'll  be  hard  for  some 
of  us." 

"  At  first,  perhaps." 

"  For  my  part,"  said  Jenkins,  "  I  shall  try  and  get  into  the 
Regulars.     Of  course  we  shall  need  an  army." 

"  For  a  time,  no  doubt,"  responded  the  colonel ;  "  though  I 
think  it  will  be  but  a  small  one.  There  is  no  necessity  for  a 
large  force." 

"  Well,  I  am  glad  the  war  is  over,"  said  I,  "  though  it  seems 
odd  that  our  swords  will  no  more  be  drawn  in  battle." 

"  When  is  the  formal  surrender  to  take  place,  Jenkins  ? " 
asked  Colonel  Harding. 

"  The  day  after  to-morrow.  We  must  first  supply  the  Con- 
federates with  food.     I  hear  they  are  positively  starving." 

"  Faix,  an'  ye  moight  hev  known  that,"  said  Dennis.  "  Thim 
divils  wud  niver  hev  given 'up  else." 

"  You  are  right,  Dennis,"  said  the  colonel.  "  So  much  the 
more  glorious  for  us." 

"  Well,  good-night,  gentlemen,"  said  Jenkins  as  he  remounted 
and  rode  away. 

Early  the  next  morning  I  rode  across  the  line  in  search  of 
Tom.  Scarcely  had  I  crossed  the  creek  when  I  saw  proofs  of 
the  destitution  of  Lee's  troops.  In  an  orchard,  near  the  road- 
side, stood  a  park  of  artillery.  Nearly  all  of  the  horses  seemed 
to  be  dying  of  hunger  and  fatigue.  All  along  the  road  similar 
sad  scenes  were  presented,  and  I  soon  realized  the  sore  straits 
to  which  the  Southern  army  had  been  reduced  before  it  had 
consented  to  abandon  the  struggle.  Brave  to  the  last,  these 
Confederate  soldiers  had  reason  to  be  proud  of  their  record, 
and  the  fame  history  would  accord  them. 

After  riding  for  nearly  a  mile,  I  halted  and  looked  about  me. 


452  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

"  Where's  the  Third  Virginia  ? "  said  I  to  a  man  lying 
moodily  on  the  tender  grass  by  the  roadside. 

"  Right  here,"  he  replied  without  moving ;  "  that  is,  what's 
left  of  'em." 

"  Have  you  an  officer  named  Marshall  ?  " 

"  Yes,  he's  our  colonel.  There  he  is,  sitting  under  that  tree," 
said  the  man,  getting  up  and  pointing  across  the  road. 

I  turned  my  horse,  and  approached  my  friend. 


^  ^' 


\  .  k,  j-j^ 


LEE'S   SHATTERED  AEMY. 

"  Tom,  don't  you  know  me  ?  " 

"  Frank !  " 

We  clasped  hands  in  silence ;  then  Tom  burst  into  tears. 

"  This  is  a  sad  meeting,  Frank,"  said  he  in  a  broken  voice. 

"  I  feel  it  so,"  I  replied ;  "  though  I  am  one  of  the  victors, 
and  should  be  rejoiced." 

"  Oh !  it's  all  right.  We  were  bound  to  be  beaten  in  the 
end,  though  the  reality  is  hard  to  bear." 

"  Well,  Tom,  you  have  the  consolation  of  knowing  that 
the  South   deserved    to  win,  for   the   bravery   shown   by   her 


LAYING  DOWN   THE  SWORD.  453 

"  Your  words  are  generous,  Frank ;  but  I  am  sick  of  war  and 
all  its  horrors." 

"  So  am  I.  Let  us  pray  that  peace  may  now  rest  upon  the 
land  for  ever." 

"I  echo  your  prayer,  Frank,  with  all  my  heart,"  said  Tom 
thoughtfully. 

"  Yes,"  I  exclaimed,  "  in  future,  let  there  be  no  North,  no 
South ;  only  one  common  country,  one  kindred." 

"That's  it,"  said  Tom  reverently,  "one  country,  one  flag. 
And  let  our  swords  hang  on  the  wall  until  a  foreign  foe  com- 
pels us  to  take  them  down  together." 

"  Amen !  " 


At  the  Homestead, 
July  20,  1872. 

My  dear  Husband,  —  Baby  is  asleep  in  her  ci'ib,  and  Frankie  is 
swinging  in  the  hammock  with  Grandpa  under  the  walnuts  :  so  I  find 
time  to  write.  I  am  sitting  by  the  window  where  you  rushed  in  that 
dreadful  night  that  Charlton  had  me  in  his  power,  and  I  can  see  the 
valley  spread  out  before  me.  (By  the  way,  Tom  heard  the  other  day 
Charlton  had  been  killed  in  a  brawl  somewhere  in  Texas.)  You  don't 
know  how  much  the  dear  old  Shenandoah  has  improved  during  the 
years  we  have  been  away.  The  great  gaps  made  in  the  fences  by 
the  artillery  are  now  covered  by  the  vines,  while  those  horrid  earth- 
works down  by  the  river  are  green  and  picturesque  in  their  present 
ruined  state.  The  fields  are  golden  with  ripening  wheat,  the  river 
murmurs  as  softly  as  ever,  the  mountains  bask  in  the  sunshine ;  and 
I  almost  forget  that  there  ever  was  a  war  in  this  fair  land. 

Tom  is  getting  along  splendidly  with  the  plantation,  though  he 
finds  some  difficulty  in  getting  hands  for  the  reaping ;  but  Pomp  is 
his  right-hand  man  now,  and,  as  he  has  a  share  in  the  crop  this  year, 
he  works  hard.     I  know  you  will  laugh  when  you  see  Pomp,  he  is  so 


454  BULLET  AND   SHELL. 

awfully  wise  and  dignified,  and  talks  of  "  dem  boys,"  as  though  he 
had  never  been  an  idle  scamp  himself.  Both  Tom  and  Grandpa  want 
you  to  come  soon,  and  Frankie  says  you  may  have  his  hammock  :  so 
come,  dear,  as  soon  as  you  can  ;  for,  though  I  am  glad  to  be  once 
more  in  the  valley  where  I  was  born,  I  miss  you  so  !  Ah,  Frank 
dear !  people  may  still  talk  about  the  North  and  South  as  much  as 
they  please  ;  but,  for  me,  I  love  my  husband  best  of  all,  before  all. 
Write  soon,  there's  a  dear,  and  let  us  know  when  you  are  coming; 
and  bring  Mr.  Malone  with  you  too.  With  kisses  from  Frankie, 
baby,  and  me, 

Your  loving  wife, 

KATE. 


RARE  BOOK 
COLLECTION 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT 

CHAPEL  HILL 


Wilmer 
1161 


